House By House Search for Suspected Cop Shooter David Durham
All cars leaving town are searched for David Durham.
Jan. 25, 20111— -- As the sun rose over Waldport, Ore., today police descended on the woods surrounding the sleepy hamlet for a third day, conducting a manhunt for a suspect accused of critically wounding a police officer and shooting a fisherman while making his getaway.
People in the coastal village of Waldport are on alert, warned by police that the suspected shooter, identified as David Durham, may take shelter in unlocked homes. Roads have been blocked and all cars leaving the town are checked.
"We've restricted the area to residents only… checking cars as they come out because we don't want him to sneak out in someone's car," Newport Police Chief Mark Miranda told a news conference today.
Schools have been put on lockdown and more than 100 officers and a SWAT team from the Oregon State Police are conducting a dragnet for Durham.
Durham was last seen with his blue Australian sheep dog Huckleberry, and may still be with the dog, Miranda said.
"We still have a SWAT team in the area. We're still doing house-to-house searches and responding to suspicious person calls," the chief said.
Cops have pursued Durham, 43, since Sunday night when he allegedly shot Lincoln City police Officer Steven Dodds.
Dodds was shot multiple times after stopping Durham's 1984 Dodge truck on Sunday. The shooting was captured by a video camera mounted on the dash of the policeman's patrol car. Dodds is in critical condition in a Portland hospital.
A car chase ensued and Durham's vehicle was disabled by spike strips. When the truck rolled to a halt, Durham jumped out and ran into the woods, police said.
During his escape, Durham allegedly shot a crab fisherman in Alsea Bay. Authorities believe Durham mistook the fisherman for a police officer. The fisherman was struck by shrapnel, but not seriously injured.
News that a gunman may be lurking in the area has rattled the little town, that only has about 200 year-round residents.
"It's kind of freaky, you know," Cheryl Paben told ABC affiliate KATU-TV.
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