Man’s death ruled suicide, even though he was shot by police

Although a man was shot by police and died from a bullet wound to the chest, the state medical examiner has ruled his death a suicide because he had cut his own wrists.

The shooting happened Tuesday at the Northridge Condominiums, located at 12600 S.E. Freeman Way.

According to police, when officers responded to the complex on a welfare call, they found a man bleeding and holding a knife.  Police said when the officers ordered the man to freeze, he didn’t, causing them to open fire.

Some neighbors said the man never had a knife but the Milwaukie Police Department stands by their account of what happened.

“The officers will be interviewed today,” said Kevin Krebs with the Milwaukie Police Department.  “Investigators will talk to them and get their side of the events that occurred yesterday.”

The man shot by police lived at the apartment complex and has been identified as 22-year-old Jesse Aaron Weatherford.

The officers involved in the shooting were Sgt. Tom Broomfield, a 15-year veteran of the Milwaukie Police Department, and Officer Luke Strait, a 14-year veteran of the department.  Both are currently on paid administrative leave.

The case is being investigated by the Clackamas County Inter Agency Major Crimes Team.  Police said they are cooperating with the investigation and are awaiting a Grand Jury’s review.