ARMED MAN SHOOTS AT MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS; HILLSBORO POLICE AND TACTICAL NEGOTIATIONS TEAM RESOLVE LENGTHY STANDOFF

Washington Co. Sheriff's Office

On Friday, August 20, 2021, just after 9:00 a.m., a man with apparent mental illness issues fired a gun at mental health workers who came to the man’s home to help him on behalf of concerned family members. The mental health workers fled the scene, called 9-1-1 and Hillsboro Police officers responded to the home in the 5400 block of NE Croeni Avenue.

Officers quickly secured the scene and requested additional resources from the Washington County Sheriff's Office Tactical Negotiations Team (TNT).

A search warrant was issued for police to enter the house where the 55-year-old Ian Tunger was alone inside. Along with the Crisis Negotiations Unit (CNU), TNT began attempting to negotiate with the man. 

Over the next 30 hours, the TNT and CNU teams attempted numerous tactics and strategies to bring the man out of the house and surrender. During this time, the man in crisis repeatedly wielded firearms and, on two occasions, fired at officers who remained securely behind armored rescue vehicles.

Local mental health professionals and physicians were consulted and asked for creative strategies to get the man to surrender. On Saturday afternoon, Tunger was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital. He has since been lodged in the Washington County Jail on charges of attempted assault in the first degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and menacing.

SWAT teams from around the state of Oregon came to assist during this lengthy standoff, including the Oregon State Police, Salem Police Department, Lane County, Marion County, Clackamas County Sheriff's Offices, and the Portland Police Bureau Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT).

Additionally, support teams including the WCSO Incident Management Team (IMT), WCSO Remotely Operated Vehicle Team (ROVT), and the Salem Police drone team came to help and bring this to a peaceful resolution.  

Several members of the TNT were placed on modified duty per Sheriff's Office critical incident protocol after having been shot at by the man from very close range. 

The Hillsboro Police Department is leading the investigation.

The Tactical Negotiations Team (TNT) is an interagency, highly skilled, and well-equipped tactical unit that responds to extremely hazardous situations where conventional police tactics and equipment may be inadequate. Also known as SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics), TNT is made up of Sheriff's Office deputies and police officers from Hillsboro Police Department, Beaverton Police Department, Tigard Police Department, and medics from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.

The Crisis Negotiations Unit (CNU) is an interagency team that works to create a peaceful resolution to what can be highly volatile situations. The team responds to many callouts throughout Washington County every year, oftentimes in tandem with the Tactical Negotiations Team. The team members are trained in crisis negotiation and use those skills to bring about the safest resolution possible.

The Remotely Operated Vehicle Team (ROVT) supports law enforcement operations throughout the county using robotics, unmanned aircraft (drones), and other cutting-edge technology. The agency-wide team comprises jail and patrol deputies who often respond to incidents involving the Tactical Negotiations Team (TNT) or even regular patrol operations. ROVT is leading the way in drone usage for law enforcement agencies, proving the technology can be useful in many circumstances.