An alleged carjacker in Portland, Oregon, was shot by police after the suspect began waiving his firearm at officers and asking them to shoot him.
Twenty-seven-year-old Denorris Laron McClendon was on I-84 Monday morning, armed with a handgun. He attempted to carjack a motorist but failed, said Portland Police Chief Mike Reese.
When officers arrived on scene, they attempted to deescalate the situation, but McClendon was being obstinate, refusing to give up his weapon.
“Officers began talking with the man. He wanted officers to shoot him,” said Reese.
After McClendon raised his firearm toward officers, he was shot and wounded.
“We are still trying to understand why he engaged in this behavior and move forward,” explained Reese.
A family member of McClendon told KOIN that the man had a history of mental illness and had a breakdown after the recent passing of his mother.
Now McClendon faces multiple charges, including two counts of reckless endangerment, two counts of disorderly conduct in the second degree and 12 counts of menacing. He is set to appear in Multnomah County Court on Tuesday.