A grand jury on Friday ruled that a Salem Police officer was justified in using deadly force in the shooting death of a man in South Salem earlier this month.
Grand jury rules fatal Salem police shooting justified
Updated 2:32 PM;
By Les Zaitz | Salem Reporter
Natzeryt “Nat” Viertel stepped out of the shed at his south Salem home, aimed a shotgun at an approaching Salem firefighter and pulled the trigger.
There was only a click.
Salem firefighter Kyle Holestine retreated back out the driveway to the street - Southeast Ewald Avenue - on the evening of April 2, talking to Viertel all the while, trying to calm him.
Viertel, 22, instead racked the shotgun again, advancing on the firefighter.
Within moments, he aimed the shotgun at two Salem police officers, defying orders to drop the weapon.
Salem mom describes son’s descent into mental health crisis before fatal shooting by police
Updated Apr 07, 2021;
Content warning: Please be aware this article contains graphic descriptions of violence and suicidal thoughts.
SALEM Jessica Rothgery begged her son to put down a shotgun he aimed at police last Friday evening as officers walked up the driveway to her southeast Salem house.
As she stood a few feet away from her 22-year-old son, she watched as he was shot twice by Salem police Cpl. Clinton Sealey. Sealey was later publicly identified by police.
The fatal shooting of Natzeryt “Nat” Viertel at the Southeast Ewald Avenue home followed a chaotic afternoon. The shooting is being investigated by the Oregon State Police, who have released few details.