Portland's Soft Rock

 
 
 
 
Man shot by police was career criminal
Tuesday, February 19, 2013    
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Merle Hatch was a federal fugitive wanted for bank robbery.

50-year-old Merle Hatch was wanted for bank robbery when he was shot at killed by Portland police officers Sunday night at a S.E. Portland hospital. He also has a long rap sheet with arrests and charges that stretch from DUI to homicide in California, Colorado and Arizona.

Investigators believe Hatch was seeking treatment at Portland Adventist Medical Center before police were called in on a report of a man with a gun. They do not know why Hatch was in Portland - they hope you can fill in the blanks.

A state medical examiner confirmed Tuesday Hatch died from multiple gunshot wounds. Police have not released additional details on the circumstances that lead to three officers firing their weapons. Those officers will be interviewed Wednesday and the Multnomah County district attorney will call a grand jury to review the shooting to determine if the officers' use of force was appropriate.

If you have information about Hatch, contact Det. Bryan Steed by phone, 503-823-0395, or e-mail, bryan.steed@portlandoregon.gov.