Hatchet-Wielding Oregon Man Shot By Deputies Made Fake 911 Report Of Stabbing Suspect

COLTON, Ore. (AP) - Clackamas County authorities say a 911 call about a stabbing suspect being armed with a gun came from the cellphone of a man who later advanced on sheriff's deputies with a hatchet and was shot to death.

The man was identified Monday as 34-year-old Bruce Lee Steward of Colton, an unincorporated community 35 miles south of Portland along Oregon 211 between Molalla and Estacada.

Sheriff's deputies said the 911 caller hung up Sunday after delivering what turned out to be a false report.

Deputies said that when they arrived in response to the call, they encountered Steward, who moved toward them holding a hatchet.

The deputies involved in the shooting have been put on paid leave, as is the usual procedure in police shootings.