A Molalla man is in custody after reportedly shooting at police officers who were responding to a medical call Monday, striking several vehicles.
Police say the man, later identified as 48-year-old Brian Scott Mills, fired a rifle and sidearm from a house in the 700 block of West Main Street, near the Grocery Outlet and newly opened Dollar Tree, forcing local schools into lockdown.
The incident started at approximately 10:21 a.m., when officers responded to a medical call at Mills’ residence, which is also the registered address of a security services firm he owns and operates.
According to police, Mills donned body armor and began arming himself shortly after officers arrived on scene. Officers’ attempts to negotiate and de-escalate the situation were unsuccessful, and Mills allegedly opened fire on civilians and police.
Two family members, including a child, were reportedly at home at the time.
Haley on Twitter: “Crazy to watch helicopters swarm around my small town. Things like this don’t happen in #molalla . Praying for those injured in the shooting. pic.twitter.com/VWE9wd8bLS / Twitter”
Crazy to watch helicopters swarm around my small town. Things like this don’t happen in #molalla . Praying for those injured in the shooting. pic.twitter.com/VWE9wd8bLS
A civilian received minor injuries during the gunfire and was treated and released from the hospital later that day. Officers were able to evacuate the area and no additional injuries were reported.
Police convinced Mills to surrender peacefully after an approximately 40-minute standoff, and he was arrested without further incident.
Mills faces charges of attempted aggravated murder, attempted first-degree assault, second-degree assault and multiple counts of unlawful use of a weapon and recklessly endangering. His bail is set at $1 million.
One Molalla Police officer returned fire during the shootout was placed on administrative leave pursuant to Clackamas County protocols. Their identity will be released at a later date, according to a press release. No officers were injured in the incident.
“We would like to thank the community for your cooperation with law enforcement officers during this event,” Molalla Police Chief Frank Schoenfeld said in a press release. “This allowed officers to quickly and safely evacuate shoppers, employees and construction workers from Cascade Center and the surrounding areas.”
Mayor Scott Keyser also expressed his appreciation on Facebook.
“I would like to take a minute to say OUTSTANDING JOB to our Molalla Police Department and all of our City of Molalla staff,” he wrote. “You all performed flawlessly today. Thank you so much for your dedication and hard work keeping our city safe from all dangers.”
The Molalla River Middle School and Molalla Elementary School were placed in lockdown shortly before 11 a.m. amid the “significant police activity in the neighborhood south of the schools,” according to a statement from the school district. The schools returned to normal operations that afternoon.
A nearby construction site and other businesses were evacuated when the gunfire broke out.
Units from OSP, Wilsonville Police, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Clackamas Fire and Molalla Fire assisted Molalla Police at the scene.