Bodycam Footage Shows Portland Officers Opening Fire on Suspect During Traffic Stop
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Police Bureau has released the name of the suspect involved in a shooting incident in which two officers, who are now on administrative leave, fired shots that caused severe injuries to Bryan Velasco-Ruelas.
The shooting occurred on the morning of September 20, 2025, at the 8400 block of Southeast Foster Road. East Precinct officers, Spencer Foster and Sammy Smith, responded to a report of a disturbance.
On arriving at the scene, the officers learned that the suspect had threatened a service station employee with a firearm and then fled the scene in a vehicle. They located Velasco-Ruelas 25 minutes later at another service station in the 3500 block near Southeast 122nd Avenue and Southeast Division Street.
Less than 10 minutes later, Officers Foster and Smith responded to another 911 call about a disturbance at a third service station at the 2400 block of Southeast 122nd Avenue. On arrival, they found the suspect in the passenger seat of a parked vehicle.
Officers Opened Fire When Suspect Leaned Into His Vehicle
The video shows the suspect climbing out of the vehicle when commanded to do so, but the officers opened fire when the suspect leaned into the vehicle during what the PPB describes as a high-risk traffic stop.
The PPB released footage of a body-worn camera to YouTube, which shows Velasco-Ruelas on the ground after he was struck by a bullet. He was transferred to an area hospital, where he is recovering from his injuries.
During the exchange of fire, one of the bullets struck a PPB vehicle, and another struck a bystander’s vehicle. The officers took possession of a firearm at the scene.
The incident can be viewed on YouTube:
Thirty-year-old Velasco-Ruelas, of Portland, will be charged and booked into jail when he is released from the hospital.
The investigation is ongoing, and if anyone has further information about the case, they can contact [email protected] and reference case number 25-259271.