SHOOTOUT SUSPECT INDICTED ON 13 COUNTS

Steven Douglas Dons, accused of killing a Portland police officer, could
face more charges

A Multnomah County grand jury Wednesday indicted Steven Douglas Dons on 13
counts of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder and assault in a
shooting last week that killed a Portland police officer and injured two
others.

Prosecutors have not presented evidence to the grand jury related to
weapons or marijuana plants found in the house where Dons lived at 2612
S.E. 111th Ave.

"The investigation is continuing, and additional charges probably will be
presented later on," said James McIntyre, a Multnomah County senior deputy
district attorney.

Investigators are looking into Dons' background to see whether he can be
charged as a felon in possession of a firearm. In addition, a grenade
launcher found at the scene could lead to federal charges. Investigators
will ask for help from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms,
McIntyre said.

Dons, 37, is scheduled to be arraigned Friday, probably in the hospital,
McIntyre said. Authorities transferred Dons on Tuesday to Adventist Medical
Center, where he is being held in a locked and guarded facility. He remains
in fair condition, said Lisa Carter, a hospital spokeswoman.

Dons' attorney, Andrew Bates, could not be reached Wednesday by telephone
but has said he cannot comment on the case.

McIntyre said prosecutors would press the case against Dons as a death
penalty case, but that won't become an issue unless Dons is convicted.

"That's up to a jury to decide," McIntyre said.

He said he could not comment on whether he presented evidence to the grand
jury about Jeffrey H. Moore, 44, who rented the house in which Dons was
living.

"The investigation is continuing," McIntyre said.

Twelve people testified before the grand jury during three days, including
Dons' brother, John Dons.

The 13 counts include two counts of aggravated murder, one under the theory
that Dons murdered a law enforcement officer and the other under the theory
that he committed murder to conceal another crime, in this case marijuana
growing. The other charges are nine counts of attempted aggravated murder
and two counts of assault.

On Jan. 27, Portland police went to the house where Dons lived to
investigate a possible marijuana growing operation. When they knocked on
the door, no one answered. Officers smelled marijuana, and as they waited
for a search warrant, they saw smoke coming out a chimney that smelled like
marijuana smoke. Fearing that someone was destroying evidence, officers
broke down the front door and were met with a hail of gunfire.

Officer Colleen Waibel, 44, was killed. Officer Kim Keist, 39, was
seriously wounded, and Sgt. Jim Hudson, 42, was slightly wounded in the
hand.

Police took Dons into custody after a 21/2-hour standoff. He had been shot
once in the chest during the initial exchange of gunfire.

Keist is in fair condition at Legacy Emanuel Hospital, said June Crawford,
a hospital spokeswoman. Keist has done some walking and is eating.

"She has progressed but still has a long way to go considering the injuries
she sustained," Crawford said.

Police found 51 marijuana plants and at least 10 guns, including two SKS
semiautomatic rifles, in the house where Dons lived.

Police continued to refuse to comment on the investigation Wednesday.
They did say that one officer's gun had jammed, said Lt. Cliff Madison, a
Portland police spokesman. Search warrant documents indicate that one of
two Glock semiautomatic weapons that were recovered from the house's porch
had a spent round in the chamber, 15 rounds in the magazine and the trigger
depressed. It appeared the gun had been fired at least once before jamming,
Madison said.

Semiautomatic weapons occasionally jam and usually can be cleared in a
second by an experienced shooter, Madison said. Investigators will
determine what caused the gun to jam.