The 21-year-old man shot by Milwaukie police was unarmed, prosecutors say

The man critically injured by Milwaukie police early Monday morning was unarmed, the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday.

Hunter Newton, 21, of Clackamas, was shot by two Milwaukie police officers after he allegedly refused to get out of his car during a traffic stop in the parking lot of Taco Bell at 11000 SE Oak St., a news release from the Public Prosecutor’s Offices.

The shooting happened just before 1 a.m

According to the news release from Scott Anderson, a spokesman for the DA’s office, Newton, who police said was driving with a revoked license, ignored multiple commands from officers to exit his car.

Officers attempted to forcibly remove Newton from the car, and during that time, the officers fired their weapons and struck Newton, the release said.

Newton, who was the only person in the car, suffered serious injuries and remains hospitalized.

The officers involved in the shooting were identified as Sgt. Eduardo Sanchez, a 10-year veteran of the Milwaukie Police Department, and Officer Kwasean Akom, who has been with the force for a year and a half. Both officers are currently on paid administrative leave.

The Clackamas County Major Crimes Team and the District Attorney’s Office are investigating. Authorities are still working to determine the events leading up to the shooting.

A witness, Brian Buyck, who was working at the nearby Shari’s restaurant at the time, told The Oregonian/OregonLive that he did not hear officers giving Newton any orders before the shooting. Another witness, a mall employee who declined to give his name, said Newton got out of the car after the shooting with his hands up and appeared injured.

Milwaukie Police Chief Ryan Burdick said in a news release late Wednesday that the matter was ongoing and that his department was “fully committed” to working with outside investigators.

“On behalf of the Milwaukie Police Department, I would like to extend our sincerest thoughts and prayers to the family of Hunter Newton, who is currently in the vital care of medical personnel and surrounded by family and friends,” Burdick said.

Milwaukie police introduced body-worn cameras several years ago. Officers were equipped with these cameras during the incident and all footage was submitted to investigators for review.

— Tyler Brown is a breaking news reporter at The Oregonian/OregonLive. You can reach him at [email protected] or 503-221-8243.