ROSEBURG, OR -- The Douglas County District Attorney has released more information about the death of the man responsible for last week’s shooting rampage at Umpqua Community College. Investigators say the gunman fired at two officers as they arrived at the college Thursday morning, and those officers returned fire, striking the suspect in the side.
Roseburg Police Chief Jim Burge says Detective Sgt. Joe Kaney and Detective Todd Spingath are heroes. "They knew they could be injured or killed during this confrontation as they ran toward the sound of gunfire. I have spoken with both officers and they don’t want to be heralded as heroes, they feel they are only first responders who got there first."
Investigators say after exchanging gunfire with police, the shooter ducked back into a classroom and turned the gun on himself.
At a Wednesday morning press conference, Douglas County D.A. Rick Wesenberg said, "Sgt. Kaney and Det. Spingath used their training and discipline to determine the best time to take a shot at the shooter. Once the suspect engaged the police officers, he did not shoot another student."
Det. Sgt. Kaney is former Marine and 23-year veteran of the Roseburg Police Department, Det. Spingath is a 16-year veteran of the force. They are asking the public to remain focused on the victims.
