Deputy shot at Hagg Lake speaks at sentencing; says he still suffers nerve pain but forgives shooter

HILLSBORO, Ore. (KPTV) - The man who shot two Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies in 2019 was sentenced to 45 years in prison Friday.

On August 8, 2019, Dante Halling, 60, stole a shotgun and ammunition from the outdoor shed of a house on the north end of Hagg Lake. He then tried to get into the back door of the house but residents called 911.

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As deputies arrived, Halling ran into the wooded area. He opened fire at deputies that followed him, hitting one in the chest and neck and one in the side and left elbow. Deputy Jeremy Braun, who was hit in the chest and neck, was in was severely injured and was taken by life flight to the hospital for emergency surgery.

SEE ALSO: Washington Co. deputy shares about recovery after shootout that almost killed him near Hagg Lake

Deputies arrested Halling and took him to the hospital for treatment for a gunshot wound to his abdomen from the shootout. The hospital found large amounts of meth in Halling’s body.

On Feb. 10, Halling pled guilty to six counts of attempted murder and one count of burglary. During his sentencing hearing on Friday, Deputy Braun testified that he had to re-learn how to speak, eat and walk again after suffering a brain injury. Halling apologized to him several times.

The judge sentenced Halling to 540 months, or 45 years, in prison, the maximum sentence possible.

“Judge Roberts sent an important message today — that criminals are still punished in Washington County, and we will not tolerate violence directed at law enforcement or other first responders,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Bracken McKey.

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