Man Killed in Police Shooting Identified as Suspect in Oregon Killing

A car burglary suspect critically wounded in an officer-involved shooting was identified by police today as a suspect in a killing in Oregon.

Dirck White is the primary suspect in the Feb. 6 fatal shooting of Clackamas County Assistant Weighmaster Grady Waxenfelter, police said.

White was shot Sunday morning near Wilton Place and Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles police Officer Norma Eisenman said.

The officers responded about 10 a.m. to a call of a car burglary in the 5400 block of Lemon Grove Avenue, Eisenman said.

“As the officers exited their vehicle, the suspect ran southbound on Wilton,” Eisenman said. “One officer chased on foot and one returned to the (police car).”

At one point, a good Samaritan in a taxi gave the running officer a ride, Eisenman said.

Both officers saw the suspect hiding behind a vehicle on Wilton Place, she said.

“The suspect brandished a handgun and shot at the officers and the officers fired at the suspect,” Eisenman said.

White now faces possible charges of attempted murder of a police officer in California in addition to the Oregon murder charge, police said.

The officers were not injured.

—City News Service

Image: Patch file photo