⚠️Click here for video audio of the aftermath of officers firing on unarmed Meyers **GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING** watch at your own discretion ⚠️

Click here to read the Statesman Journal article on this case.

 

 

On February 7, 2022, Richard Meyers and his dog, Zeeva, were shot and killed by Salem police officers in a Northgate Park parking lot. Meyers, who was unhoused, and his dog were still inside their vehicle when police opened fire. The events leading up to their deaths and the police response have raised serious questions about police conduct and accountability.

​According to a press release from the Salem Police Department, Officer Griffin McDowell initiated a traffic stop after running Meyers' license plates and discovering he had no car insurance. McDowell claims Meyers "eluded the stop," and instead of pursuing him, the officer followed him without his emergency lights on. McDowell later admitted he "observed Meyers driving normally and with the flow of traffic" at this point.

​McDowell followed Meyers to Northgate Park. The events of their initial contact in the parking lot are unclear, as McDowell’s dash camera was allegedly not recording. Meyers' personal dash camera was also confiscated after his death, and officers did not have body cameras at the time.

​McDowell claims he opened fire after Meyers drove into a field and the officer "believed" he saw a gun raised in his direction. There is no footage or evidence to support this claim. McDowell shot through his own windshield and continued firing after exiting his vehicle. Other officers arrived on the scene and also opened fire. In total, 22 rounds were fired at Meyers and his vehicle.

​After the shooting, officers refused to give Meyers aid for several minutes, even after confirming his hands were empty. Dash camera footage shows Meyers was communicating that he was "dying" and "couldn't breathe" and that he was unable to put both hands up or exit the car. The police report claims Meyers was "non-compliant," but video evidence contradicts this. Before providing aid, officers handcuffed Meyers despite a broken arm and multiple gunshot wounds.

​Officers Involved
​The following officers were involved in the shooting and their time on the force at the time of the incident:

​Chad Treichler (1 year, 8 months)
​Griffin McDowell (5 years, 7 months)
​Jonathan McNichols (1 year, 6 months)
​David Baker (8 years, 11 months): A witness in this case, Baker was also involved in the fatal shooting of a man in 2014.

​The Call for Justice
​The lack of transparency in this case is a major concern. The Salem Police Department has failed to provide a credible explanation for why McDowell's dash camera was not recording and why Meyers' dash camera was confiscated. We can't accept excuses like "the dash cam only records in weird 30-second increments."

​We must demand accountability for the officers involved. Police officers should be properly trained to de-escalate situations and detain suspects without resorting to deadly force. When they cannot handle a situation, we have to ask why they are the ones we call.

​It's time to demand that Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack ensure officers receive proper training in de-escalating intense situations and dealing with people experiencing a mental health crisis. We also demand that every officer be equipped with a body camera during every interaction with the public.

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It’s time to demand transparency and justice. 
No human being deserves to be treated this way.