Police shot a Eugene man Monday night after he allegedly robbed the South Umpqua Bank at 4011 Donald St., took an employee hostage and shot at police.
The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Jason Glen Campbell, was taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center and was listed in serious condition as of press time.
“Based on interviews, apparently the suspect went into the bank indicating he had every intention to die at the hands of police,” EPD spokeswoman Pam Alejandre said. “Some call it death-by-police.”
Campbell ordered bank employees to call police and bring in the SWAT team, Alejandre said.
A bank employee reported the robbery in progress at 4:35 p.m. Police arrived shortly after the call and ordered people in the crowded shopping center at 40th Avenue and Donald Street to remain indoors.
With the suspect still in the bank, officers positioned themselves around the building, one officer taking cover with a rifle in some bushes behind a nearby bus stop.
Then Campbell emerged from the bank wielding a shotgun and holding onto a hostage, an unidentified bank employee in her 50s, according to police.
“There was obviously some eye contact between the officer and the suspect, but no words were exchanged,” Alejandre said.
Campbell shot once at the officer behind the bus stop, blasting a hole twice the size of a basketball through the glass shelter, Alejandre said. The officer fired five rounds, hitting the suspect in the abdomen/groin area and riddling a nearby blue minivan with bullets. The hostage escaped unharmed during the shooting.
After Campbell was taken to the hospital, Lane County District Attorney Doug Harcleroad arrived at the scene to review the police action. He decided that the officer was justified in shooting Campbell, Alejandre said.
The EPD, in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, will further investigate the robbery.
Campbell faces charges of kidnapping, robbery and possibly attempted aggravated murder, Alejandre said.
Ken Sturdevant, who lives nearby on 41st Avenue, said his son was outside playing basketball at the time of the shooting.
“My son heard the volley of shots, ran inside the house and hunkered down,” he said.
“This is a real community center,” Sturdevant said while walking his border collie, Trixy, at around 7:30 p.m. and watching police at the scene. “People are walking around, on skateboards and bicycles. I didn’t realize it was such a community center until now.”