A man was shot at least once in the head by a Salem Police officer after threatening the officer with a knife in northeast Salem early Wednesday, April 30. It started when Officer David Baker was dispatched to the Salem Arbor Townhouse Condominiums, in the 4700 block of Lancaster Drive NE, on a report of a domestic disturbance at 7:13 a.m. When Baker arrived, he was confronted by 47-year-old Michael Conley, who was brandishing a knife. According to Salem Police, Conley advanced on Baker with the knife, despite orders to put the knife down. An officer could be heard over the scanner telling dispatchers: "He's coming at me with the knife, telling me to shoot him."
Victim's Name: Michael Conley
Agency Responsible: Salem Police Department
Gender: Male
Age: 47
Race: White
Date of Death: April 30, 2014
County: Marion
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Justified
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: Yes
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: knife
Geography: Suburban