A vehicle pursuit involving a Pendleton man ended Thursday when the suspect shot himself, according to the Oregon State Police (OSP).
The Pendleton Police Department (PPD) notified the Oregon State Police (OSP) on Thursday that they were searching for Ryan Newsome, 28, in connection with a crime that took place earlier in the morning.
Members of the OSP-Pendleton Area Command assisted the Pendleton Police Department throughout the day in an attempt to locate Newsome.
At approximately 4:20 p.m., members of the PPD located Newsome on S.E. Nye Avenue operating a 1994 Honda Accord. Officers attempted a traffic stop and Newsome fled, initially traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes from Interstate 84 at exit 210 as officers paralleled his vehicle from the eastbound lanes. According to the OSP, Newsome then drove into the median and eventually crossed back over to the eastbound lanes. Near milepost 210, Newsome came to a stop on the south shoulder of the eastbound lanes. A gunshot was heard within the vehicle after it came to a stop.
Shortly after the pursuit came to a stop, officers from the OSP and the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene. Members of the PPD attempted to communicate with Newsome but received no response. Law enforcement officers approached the vehicle and observed Newsome slumped in the front seat suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officers broke out a window on the vehicle to remove Newsome as the doors to the vehicle were locked. Upon making entry into the vehicle, Newsome was immediately removed and officers started rendering medical aid.
Newsome was transported from the scene via Life Flight to Kadlec Medical Center. There has been no official word on Newsome’s condition, however, a Facebook user on Friday said Newsome’s mother had reported that he was brain dead.
