Family of Oregon man shot, killed by police files federal lawsuit

The family of a man shot by Salem Police is suing the city and two police officers, claiming he was wrongfully shot to death outside a southeast Salem residence last year. On Oct. 21, 2012, police responded to a home in the 3700 block of Scenic View Drive SE after the mother of one of Chase Hammer’s children called 911 to report that he was despondent, threatening to commit suicide and had left with a gun. Responding officers encountered Hammer outside of the residence. Police officials said he ignored commands to drop what they described as a weapon before Cpl. Ryan Demmer fired shots at Hammer. He was pronounced dead at the scene.