Police responded to a call at 12:20 p.m. that Henry Martinez Jr. was holding a woman against her will. Martinez had a knife, and allegedly was threatening to kill 51-year-old Carlen Mercado. Police and deputies responded to a trailer home. After hours of unsuccessful negotiations with Martinez, officers used a flashbang and gas to try and flush him out of the building, but he would not come out, police say. He allegedly held a knife toward police,and they shot and killed him. Mercado was found dead inside, and had apparently been dead for some time.
Agency: Ontario Police Department, Malheur County Sheriff's Office
Motive: hostage situation/aggravated assault
Confrontation Type: Violent Crime
Service Call: Yes
Official Disposition: Pending investigation
Victim Name: Henry Martinez Jr.
Death Date: January 3, 2021
County: Malheur
Geography: Rural
Gender: Male
Age: 49
Race: White
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: Unknown
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: knife
Threat Level: other