ONTARIO, OR -- We’re learning more about what led up to the deadly officer involved shooting in eastern Oregon last weekend. Corporal Joseph Johnson died Saturday evening in Nyssa, a small town on the Oregon-Idaho border. 

At a Tuesday press conference in Ontario, Oregon State Police Captain Kyle Kennedy  said Corporal Johnson was responding to a report of a violent man, "The male was reportedly attempting to damage vehicles with a hammer." There was a short car chase - about two minutes long, said Kennedy, "And at 8:20, the first initial reports of shots being fired came over the radio. Corporal Johnson was fatally wounded in that interaction."

It took 36 hours to track down the suspect, who was taken into custody after a brief standoff in Ontario, Monday. But Kennedy says the investigation continues, "There’s a 36-hour period that they’re trying to close the investigation off, as to the whereabouts of the suspect during that time. So, we would ask, if there are any eyewitness sightings, any information from the public, that they would contact the Oregon State Police."

During the press conference, officials chose not to use the name of the suspect, who had been previously identified by OSP. 

Malheur County District Attorney David Goldthorpe says the suspected shooter was arraigned Tuesday on Aggravated Murder, Murder I and other charges. "We have our Grand Jury set for this week, where the grand jury will determine whether they support those charges or want to modify or add to those charges; that will be their prerogative."

Nyssa Police Chief Don Ballou says Johnson's death has shaken his small town, "Me and my staff, my team and our community is going to take a long time to recover. I don’t think it’s ever going to be fully recovered." He asked for the community to continue to support Johnson's family and his department. 

Bend Police Officer David Peterson, with the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, says a memorial service is being planned, "The OFBF is working in partnership with Nyssa Police Department, to ensure the needs and wishes of Corporal Johnson’s family are met in honoring him. The Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation is bearing all of the expenses related to the memorial service."

Photo courtesy of Nyssa Police Department