Man opens fire on theft suspects, police arrest him | Business

GRESHAM, Ore. – Roger Witter says he was just trying to do the right thing when he pulled out his gun and fired two rounds in the direction of two shoplifting suspects reportedly fleeing an AT&T store with a bunch of stolen iPhones.

Gresham police didn’t see it that way.

While the suspects are still on the run, Witter, 48, from Gresham, found himself having discussions overnight Tuesday with police, who say his attempt to intervene put the public in danger.

Witter’s handgun and his concealed carry permit were both retained by officers after they say Witter’s shots went in the direction of a MAX light rail platform and a Park and Ride parking lot.

No injuries have been reported and it is not known if Witter’s shots struck the suspect’s vehicle.

The incident began just before 8 p.m. Tuesday when Witter witnessed the theft at the AT&T store on Northwest Division Street and Ava Lane in Gresham.

As the suspects fled, Witter followed them around a corner next to the the store, pulled out his weapon and fired two shots at their vehicle as they drove away. He said he was trying to blow out a tire.

Following the incident, Witter was arrested by police and charged with various offenses including unlawful use of a weapon, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and unlawful discharge of a weapon.

He was released early Wednesday morning.

KATU News caught up with Witter early Wednesday morning when he returned to the store, which was closed, to pick up his vehicle.

Witter said he took action because police often show up only after a crime has taken place. Conversely, Gresham police said stolen iPhones do not constitute the right to open fire in public.

“I never pointed my gun at anybody,” Witter told KATU News. “I was never popping off shots like a wild cowboy. I was just trying to stop a crime. That’s all I was doing. I was …. trying to do the right thing.”

Wednesday morning, Gresham Police issued a press release about the incident. Part of the release reads:

“It is important to remember that no matter how frustrated one may be with crime and the criminal justice system it is not permissible to use deadly force in this type of situation. Those two rounds could've gone anywhere; in fact we're still not sure where they went. They could've struck an innocent bystander or damaged property.  Simply put it is not worth an innocent person's life to try and get an iPhone or any other piece of property back.”

Witter is due in court for a hearing Wednesday afternoon in Gresham. The theft suspects were able to flee the scene and are being sought by police.

The suspects are described as two black males, 20 to 30 years old, both skinny and about 5-feet-11-inches tall. Both were wearing jeans and hoodies.

They fled westbound on Southeast Division Street in a silver Chrysler automobile.

KATU News will update this story as events warrant.

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Unedited press release from Gresham Police:

On May 25, 2010 at 7:48 pm Transit Police were flagged down regarding shots being fired in the area of NW Division and NW Civic Drive.  As they were investigating the complaint we received a report of a theft at the AT&T phone store at 533 NW Division.  Believing there maybe a connection Officers rushed to the scene and quickly learned that a number of IPhones had been taken and a customer had apparently ran outside to confront the thieves.  As the suspects were leaving the area in a silver colored Chrysler the customer fired two shots at the car.  The suspects are described as follows.  Suspect #1 is described as a black male, 5'10 to 5'11", skinny, 20-30 years of age, wearing a gray & black horizontally striped hoody, blue jeans and white tennis shoes.  Suspect #2 is described as a black male, 5'10" to 5'11", skinny, 20-30 years of age, wearing a brown hoody, blue jeans and dark shoes.  They were last seen in the silver Chrsyler headed Westbound on NW Division.

      Upon speaking with the customer, who was identified as 48 year old ROGER L. WITTER of Gresham, it was learned that he was inside the store and had witnessed the theft.  Instead waiting for the Police to provide a witness statement he decided to chase the suspects outside with his gun in hand.  He ran to the corner and observed the suspects trying to flee Southbound towards him on NW Ave towards NW Division.  At this time he decided that he would try and "shoot out the tires".  He fired two rounds towards the Northeast in direct line with the City Hall Max Stop & Park and Ride.  By WITTER's own admission he never felt that his life or anyone else's life was in danger.  He was just trying to detain the suspects for Police.  WITTER was taken into custody and eventually transported to MCDC.  His Concealed Weapons permit and his handgun were seized.   

      It is important to remember that no matter how frustrated one maybe with crime and the criminal justice system it is not permissible to use deadly force in this type of situation.  Those two rounds could've gone anywhere, in fact we're still not sure where they went.  They could've struck an innocent bystander or damaged property.  Simply put it is not worth an innocent persons life to try and get an IPhone or any other piece of property back.  WITTER is charged with the following:

Unlawful Use of a Weapon bail $5000.00

Reckless Endangerment bail $2500.00

Disorderly Conduct II bail $1500.00

Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm bail $2500.00