Deputy-Involved Shooting of Ladarius Collins in Gresham Ruled Justified by Multnomah County District Attorney

GRESHAM, OR — The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office has ruled as justified a deputy-involved shooting that resulted in the death of **21-year-old Ladarius Collins**, following a volatile confrontation and chase through a quiet Gresham neighborhood. The incident, which began with a desperate 911 call and ended with gunfire near Northeast 167th Avenue and Everett Court, has left a community shaken and a family grieving, while reigniting debate over law enforcement use of force.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, the chain of events began with a call from a frantic witness near Northeast 162nd Avenue and Glisan Street, where a violent altercation was reportedly unfolding between Collins and another man. In audio from the 911 call and surveillance footage later obtained, the urgency and fear are unmistakable. “Oh my gosh, no, don’t do it, don’t do it! Please get the cops here. He’s going to shoot this guy,” the caller pleaded.

Investigators say Collins was armed with a handgun and had already pistol-whipped one man before deputies arrived. Upon police arrival, Collins fled the scene, igniting a chaotic pursuit that sent officers scrambling through backyards in the residential neighborhood — an area unaccustomed to such violence.

“I’ve been here six years, and this has never happened before,” said **Trudy Smith**, a local resident, who described the scene as “pretty intense, pretty scary.” Another witness echoed the sentiment: “It’s pretty scary to have that happen steps from your door.”

The pursuit ended when **Multnomah County Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Suboh** encountered Collins near Northeast 167th Avenue. Body camera footage, corroborated by the DA’s report, shows Collins allegedly pointing a loaded handgun at the deputy. Despite multiple commands to drop the weapon, Collins did not comply. Deputy Suboh then discharged his firearm six times.

Following the gunfire, officers on scene pleaded with Collins to move away from the weapon, telling him, “We want to help you.” A loaded handgun was recovered near his body. Collins was taken to a hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. An autopsy revealed that he was struck by a single bullet that entered behind his left shoulder.

After a thorough investigation, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office concluded that Deputy Suboh’s use of deadly force was legally justified. In a statement, **District Attorney Nathan Vasquez** emphasized both the legality and the gravity of the situation: “Mr. Collins’ death was tragic, and its impact on the family and community cannot be understated. I am deeply sorry for their loss.”

The incident has once again focused attention on the intersection of mental health, crime, and policing. While prosecutors deemed the response legally sound, the emotional toll on witnesses, community members, and Collins’ loved ones underscores the enduring complexities of deadly force incidents — especially when they unfold so close to home.

As investigations close and official rulings are rendered, the neighborhood of Gresham is left to reckon with what occurred in its streets. The shooting serves as a reminder that even in the most familiar places, violence can erupt suddenly, and the consequenc