Police responded around 6:30 p.m. to a report that a suicidal man had injured himself. Firefighters arrived prior to officers, and the man allegedly threatened them with a firearm. When Salem Police officers arrived, Natzeryt Viertel allegedly confronted them while still armed. An officer shot and killed him.
Agency: Salem Police Department
Motive: mental health crisis
Confrontation Type: Mental Health/Welfare Check
Service Call: Yes
Body Camera: no
Official Disposition: Pending investigation
Victim Name: Natzeryt Layahoshua Viertel
Death Date: April 2, 2021
County: Marion
Geography: Suburban
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Race: White
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: Yes
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: gun
Threat Level: other
Fleeing: not fleeing
Washington Post Database ID: 6746