Cascade Middle School Fatal Police Shooting Video Released By DA

PORTLAND, OR – It was over in less than a minute. Charles Landeros, the 30-year-old parent of a student at Cascade Middle School lay dead on the ground outside the school entrance.

Moments earlier Landeros had been inside, confronting School Resource Officer Steve Timm.

Landeros, a divorcee and Army veteran who served six years with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before being honorably discharged, had been called to the school because of a custody dispute.

He had arrived well-armed and during a struggle with a second officer – Aaron Johns – fired two shots, barely missing Timm who fired back, hitting Landeros in the head with a fatal shot.

Lane County District Attorney Patricia Perlow released video shot by the body camera worn by Timm and Johns. It was released in conjunction with an announcement that she had concluded the "use of deadly force was legally justified as self-defense and defense of others."

A CUSTODY DISPUTE

While Landeros shares custody of two daughters, the divorce decree gives Landeros's ex-wife control over issues such as schooling and medical care.

On Jan. 10, Landeros had enrolled a daughter at the school without consulting the ex-wife.

On the morning of the 11th she had arrived at the school in the morning, wanting to know if her daughter had been enrolled there without her permission. She had the divorce decree and custody papers.

Timm was made aware that there was a custody dispute and called for assistance. Johns's arrival was the response to the call.

After meeting with the ex-wife, Timm went over to Landeros and asked about the paperwork. Landeros conceded it was accurate, all decisions about schooling were the ex-wife's purview.

Landeros stopped answering questions and was asked to leave but refused, saying only the principal had the power to throw him out of the school.

"Landeros became more agitated and animated," and was told he'd be arrested if he didn't leave.

Johns continued to escort Landeros out.

"At that point, Landeros's child arrived in the hallway by coincidence," Perlow said. "Landeros began yelling at his child to 'go' repeatedly."

The video from Timm's camera shows Johns trying to place Landeros under arrest and begin to struggle.

Landeros, with a 9mm on a holster, grabbed it, pointing it at Timm, who yelled about the gun.

Perlow said that Johns "continued to struggle with Landeros in an effort to" get the gun.

"Landeros pointed the gun at officer Landeros and fired two bullets."

Johns yelled for help.

Timm fired a bullet that struck nearby by Landeros and Johns.

"Officer Timm recognized that the situation was dangerous" and that both he and Johns "were in fear of their own death or the death of other bystanders or students in the area," according to Perlow.

"Johns said he knew that if he let go of Landeros's hand in the struggle, they were going to be killed."

Timm fired his gun a second time hitting Landeros in the temple.

Landeros was dead. In addition to the 9mm – who capacity had been expanded to hold 20 rounds, Landeros had a second magazine on a gun belt, a third magazine in the car, and more ammunition in his backpack.

"Landeros's child was also a witness to the struggle and the shootings," Perlow said.

LANDEROS AND THE POLICE

Perlow's office says that after the shooting they started looking into Landeros's background and discovered a recent history of strong anti-police sentiment.

Two days before the incident, the Springfield Police Department was sent a screen shot of a news story about an officer-involved killing in Portland.

One of the comments, posted by someone named Charles Landeros, said "Time to start killing pigs."

The morning that Landeros was killed, Springfield Police received another message that "Charles Landeros" had posted "death to all pigs"

The FBI investigated Landeros after getting a time that Landeros was "posting violent anti-government messages on social media," according to Perlow.

Agents determined there was not enough information to bring charges.

"It is unknown why Charles Landeros chose to use deadly force in this circumstance," Perlow said, adding that Landeros "clearly had no regard for the lives of the police officers or the students or staff present, including his child."