Cop Won't Face Charges in Shooting Outside of Wilson High, But You Knew That



Kelly Vern Mark Swoboda

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It's hardly surprising but worth noting all the same: The Portland cop who shot and killed a wanted man outside Wilson High School last month won't face charges in the incident.

From the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office:

Today the Multnomah County grand jury returned a not true bill in the death of Kelly Vern Mark Swoboda on March 12, 2014. Mr. Swoboda was fatally shot by a Portland Police Officer. That officer was struck and injured by gunfire from Mr. Swoboda. The grand jury determined that the use of deadly force against Mr. Swoboda was justified under the criminal law.

Out of all the officer-involved shootings Portland's seen in recent years, the 49-year-old Swoboda's death may be the least controversial.

For one: It was a shootout, according to police. Before he was mortally wounded March 12, Swoboda was able to squeeze off a round that injured Portland Police Officer John Romero. And Swoboda was wanted in connection with the kidnapping of a tanning salon employee, and on bank robbery charges.

On the day he died, Swoboda had been tailing high school students in his van, cops say. That spurred police to step up patrols in the area, and, ultimately, the fatal altercation.