The Oregon Department of Justice has wrapped up its probe into a police shooting that left a man injured last fall, concluding with a Clackamas County grand jury ruling. The panel found insufficient grounds to bring criminal charges against the two officers involved in the September 2024 incident at a Milwaukie Taco Bell drive-thru, as per an announcement made yesterday. The encounter, which escalated to gunfire, involved Sergeant Eduardo Sanchez, Officer Kwasean Akom, and the injured party, one Hunter Newton.
As detailed by the grand jury's findings, the incident unfolded after Newton was apprehended for a traffic violation and operating a vehicle with criminally suspended license. Rather than complying with the initial stop, Newton proceeded to enter the fast-food chain's drive-thru, prompting additional support from Officer Akom. Newton's refusal to exit the car when instructed and subsequent physical resistance led to an altercation. During the struggle, both officers reacted to a muffled pop – interpreted as gunfire – by retreating and firing at Newton, who was later hospitalized at Oregon Health & Science University but survived.
The examination of the scene yielded no firearm from Newton's vehicle. The grand jury reviewed every shred of evidence available, including body-cam footage, nearby video, and testimonies from both eyewitnesses and experts. A small item, projected from Newton's car, was caught on surveillance, generating a sound and a spark mistaken for a gunshot by witnesses and the officers involved. This confusion apparently contributed to the officers' decision to use lethal force in self-defense, according to a statement from the DOJ.
Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth had the case referred to the Oregon DOJ, where assistant attorneys general presented the facts to the grand jury. The outcome was a "not true bill" – a determination suggesting that criminal charges against Sanchez and Akom would not have merit. "This was a deeply traumatic incident for everyone involved – Mr. Newton and his family, the officers, and the Milwaukie community – and we recognize the irreparable pain that follows an event like this," Attorney General Dan Rayfield expressed, indicating a commitment to transparency and the fostering of trust between the police force and the communities they serve, as reported by the DOJ.
For those interested in the evidential material, the DOJ has shared media files, including footage from the body cameras of Sgt Sanchez and Officer Akom, audio from the liquor store's recording devices, and a cell phone screenshot that can be found on their official website.
