Oregon police officer fatally shot during pursuit; suspect arrested

Authorities announced Monday the arrest of the suspect in the fatal shooting of an eastern Oregon reserve police officer Saturday night.

On Saturday at about 8:20 p.m. Nyssa Police Reserve Officer Joseph Johnson responded to a report of a "violent individual damaging property and threatening others" near a Nyssa residence, Oregon State Police said Sunday.

The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Nyssa resident Rene Castro, reportedly fled the scene in a vehicle, and Johnson began a pursuit.

The suspect vehicle pulled over, and as Johnson stopped, a suspect believed to be Castro shot at Johnson, fatally striking him, Oregon State Police said.

Arriving paramedics and Malheur County sheriff's deputies found Johnson, 43, dead at the scene.

Authorities were searching for Rene Castro. Later Monday morning, the Malheur County District Attorney's office confirmed the suspect was arrested in connection with the shooting. No further details were immediately released.

Nyssa, population 3,200, is near the Idaho state line about 50 miles northwest of Boise, Idaho.