Newport office cleared of wrongdoing in shooting of suspect

NEWPORT, Ore. — A Newport officer who shot and wounded a hammer-wielding suspect has been found to be justified in his use of force against the 53-year-old man.

KOIN-TV reports the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday that Officer Andrew Ashpole was justified in the Dec. 9 shooting of Nantharath Thilavanh.

Police responded to a recreational vehicle park to reports of an unwanted person on the property when they encountered Thilavanh, who they say had knives and a hammer in his possession. Police say he refused officers’ commands to drop the weapons.

Officers allegedly tried to subdue Thilavanh with a Taser multiple times, but were unsuccessful.

The District Attorney’s Office says Ashpole opened fire after the suspect lunged at an officer with the hammer.

Thilavanh was taken to a hospital.

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