A Marion County grand jury found a deputy was justified in shooting and injuring a man while responding to a suspected hostage situation nearly two weeks ago. On Friday, March 27, the jury unanimously found Alan Jefferson, a deputy with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, acted reasonably when he used deadly force against Juan C. Gomez-Valles, a 39-year-old Salem man, according to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office. The office published a statement Friday after the jury listened to witness statements and reviewed evidence from the shooting. In addition to finding the deputy justified, the jury also indicted Gomez-Valles on several criminal charges, including attempting to assault Jefferson, Marion County Circuit Court records show. The Oregon State Police led the investigation into the use of deadly force, in accordance with state law and Marion County policy. On March 17, Marion County deputies, including Jefferson, responded to a home on State Street after a person reported being held hostage in a bathroom at 6:54 a.m., according to the sheriff’s office and state police. There had been two prior 911 calls from the house, located at 4758 State St., earlier in the morning, but no one came to the door when deputies arrived to follow up, the sheriff’s office statement said. Prior statements by law enforcement did not specify the nature of the previous 911 calls. When deputies responded to the third call, they entered the house after getting permission from people inside, the sheriff’s office said. Gomez-Valles then came out of a bedroom holding two knives, one in each hand, according to the district attorney’s statement. He ignored the deputies’ commands to drop the knives and “advanced” toward them, the statement said. Jefferson fired his weapon, and hit Gomez-Valles with one bullet. No Marion County deputies were injured. Gomez-Valles got initial medical treatment on the scene before medics took him to Salem Hospital for further treatment of his injuries, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said. He was taken into custody the same day, and has been held in the Linn County Jail, the jail’s roster shows. Jail records show he is being held for a parole violation and criminal charges related to the shooting. Gomez-Valles is charged with second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing and possessing a weapon as a felon, according to the Marion County jury’s indictment. He was scheduled to be arraigned in Marion County Circuit Court on those charges at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 30. During its review of the shooting, the jury heard testimony from a relative of Gomez-Valles, the six deputies who responded to the home and detectives with the Oregon State Police.  The jury also considered evidence, including the two knives, pictures, 911 calls and medical records from Salem Health, the sheriff’s office statement said.  State police initially identified two deputies involved in the shooting, Jefferson and Tyson Gardner. Both have been deputies for less than a year, according to the agency’s statement from the day of the incident. The agency noted that its deputies do not wear body cameras so there was no footage of the incident. Although Oregon law regulates how law enforcement agencies use body cameras, it does not require agencies to use the cameras. PREVIOUS COVERAGE:  Marion County deputy shoots, injures man during response to suspected hostage situation Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected]. SIGN UP: “Your work helps hold leaders accountable and gives citizens a voice.” Independent reporting gives Salem a stronger voice on issues from homelessness to health care. Be part of that work. Subscribe today. The post Jury finds Marion County deputy justified in using deadly force during 911 response appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less