Photo: KATU
Oregon State Police have identifed the man who was killed by a St. Helens police officer Wednesday morning.
32-year-old Michael Veatch is suspected in a shooting at the St. Helens Chevron gas station. It happened following an argument and no one was injured.
St. Helens Officers responded and located the vehicle suspected of being involved in the shooting incident. When officers attempted to contact the operator of the vehicle it fled on Hwy 30 towards Deer Island and officers pursued. The suspect vehicle became disabled on Hwy 30 near milepost 35 and the suspect fled on foot. An officer from the St. Helens Police used force resulting in the suspects death. As per policy this officer has been placed on administrative leave.
Detectives are investigating the report of shots being fired from the suspect vehicle prior to and during this pursuit.
Veatch had ties to the shooting death of Cowlitz County Sheriff's Deputy Justin DeRosier last April.
Veatch is the brother of Matthew Veach who allegedly helped Brian Butts after he fatally shot Deputy Derosier.