Routine Traffic Stop Suddenly Turns Into Shootout

[SIMM0NS]

Routine Traffic Stop Suddenly Turns Into Shootout

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We're seeing some jaw-dropping video this morning out of Oregon, where a seemingly routine traffic stop suddenly turned violent.

On the video, a state trooper named Matthew Zistel can be heard instructing 34-year-old John Allen II to get back in his car after he pulled him over for speeding.

The man, wearing camouflage military fatigues, then slowly walks toward the officer and pulls a gun from his waistband. The ensuing shootout wounded both men, as Allen ran back into his car and drove off. Allen was hit in the chest and was later found dead in the car by police.

Three children between the ages of 10 and 15 were in the car during the shootout, but were not hurt.

Zistel's chest wound was not serious.

The incident occurred Aug. 29, but the dash cam video was just released by police this week.

 

[SIMM0NS]

Police ID man killed in I-84 shootout with trooper

Posted: Aug 31, 2013 3:54 AM Updated: Aug 31, 2013 1:40 PM
By Ian Forrest

John Allen II // Photo: Oregon State Police John Allen II // Photo: Oregon State Police

A Portland man who died in a freeway shootout with police while his three kids were in the car has been identified as 34-year-old John Allen II.

Oregon State Police said Trooper Matthew Zistel, 26, was working construction zone safety near The Dalles when he stopped Allen for speeding just before 1 p.m. Thursday.

When Zistel exited his patrol car, Allen stepped out and shot at him, police said. Zistel returned fire, and officers said the two exchanged more than one round from their handguns.

About one minute after making the traffic stop, Zistel radioed to dispatch and said he was shot in his left side and the suspect drove away.

Backup officers from several police agencies from Oregon and Washington rushed to the scene and found Allen's car stopped on the right eastbound shoulder about a half-mile from the scene.

When officers checked the car, they found Allen slumped over the steering wheel. His three children - a 10-year-old girl, a 13-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy - were not hurt. They were placed in Department of Human Services custody on Thursday night.

"This isn't like him to do anything like this. He's not really a violent person. He's very respectful," said Kasmira Hamlet, Van Allen's cousin. "He was an ordained minister. So we're just trying to figure out what happened."

Hamlet said her cousin just moved to Portland from Pennsylvania last year for a fresh start. She has no idea where he was going on I-84 Thursday. She said he was a pastor in his 20s and also spent time in the army.

An autopsy confirmed Allen died from a single gunshot wound to the chest, and police said it appeared the wound came from Zistel's gunfire.

Allen previously lived in South Carolina and Pennsylvania, but he most recently lived in the Portland area.

Zistel has been with Oregon State Police for five years and is married with no children. He was treated and released Thursday night from Mid-Columbia Medical Center for what police described as a "minor gunshot wound injury."

The total number of shots fired during the confrontation isn't being released. A multi-agency investigation is now being conducted into Zistel's use of force during the traffic stop. Interstate 84 closed down near the shooting scene at Biggs Junction for six hours Thursday.

 

[Anytime]

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