ALBANY, OR (KPTV) -
State police released the identity Monday of a man they said shot a Benton County deputy and a Salem police officer during a late-night confrontation near Albany.
Demecio Cardena Jr., 32, who police said had a warrant out for his arrest in Los Angeles, is being treated at a Portland hospital after the Saturday night shootout in rural Benton County.
Police said they first started pursuing Cardena when an Albany woman called 911 to say an armed man was in her backyard around 10:30 p.m. Saturday. He left the area in a green 1994 Acura that may have been stolen and a Benton County sheriff's deputy spotted the car about eight minutes later.
Police said Cardena led deputies on a chase until he lost control at the intersection of Independence Highway and Northwest Springhill Drive. As a search team started scouring the area, Cardena emerged from the brush and encountered police.
State police said shots were fired, both by the suspect and officers. During the exchange of gunfire, Benton County Sgt. David Peterson and Salem police Cpl. Andrew Connolly were wounded.
Cardena himself suffered multiple gunshot wounds, police said, and a Salem police patrol car was hit by several rounds.
Peterson remains in serious condition, but Sheriff Diana Simpson said he is stabilized and beginning the recovery process at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. Connolly, who did not fire his gun during the incident, was treated for one gunshot wound and released.
The current condition of Cardena remains unknown.
In addition to Peterson, Benton County Deputy Gregory Goller also fired his gun during the confrontation. He is on paid administrative leave while police investigate.
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