An armed individual has reportedly barricaded themselves inside a building at the National Guard recruiting base at Happy Valley's Camp Withycombe, leading to a significant police response. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s office is on-hand dealing with the situation as it unfolds. According to Brian McCall, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, the person appears to be in a mental health crisis. "SWAT team and crisis negotiators responded to the scene," McCall told The Oregonian/OregonLive.
The sheriff's office has not disclosed further details about the individual's identity or motives. However, the presence of a SWAT team and crisis negotiators suggests a high level of concern for the safety of all involved. A diverse range of law enforcement agencies have converged on the area, including officials from Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Oregon City Police, Molalla Police, Gresham Police, Milwaukie Police, and Clackamas Fire, as reported by a KOIN 6 News crew at the scene.
It remains a developing story, with new information anticipated as the standoff continues. Camp Withycombe is known as a reserve training site and is typically not a location associated with such incidents. The motivations for the armed person’s actions are not currently clear, and officials have asked the public to avoid the area for their own safety and to ensure a smooth operation of law enforcement efforts.
As of now, no injuries or shots fired have been reported. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is handling the matter with the utmost seriousness and care, striving to bring about a peaceful resolution. "A SWAT team and crisis negotiators were also called out," the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office stated in brief remarks released to media outlets, including KATU. This recent development continues the thread of concern for incidents involving armed individuals, prompting discussions about mental health and public safety. While local residents may be concerned, the visible presence of multiple law enforcement agencies should assure the public that the situation is being managed by experienced professionals.
