On November 19, 2024, a Lincoln County Grand Jury found that Lincoln City Police Officers Cody Snidow, Jaylan King and Joshua Lane were each justified in their use of deadly physical force against Francisco Campos, 36, on October 19, 2024.
The Grand Jury convened to hear testimony from 9 witnesses, including the Oregon State Police, who led the investigation. The Grand Jury also reviewed photographs and video exhibits.

The following is a factual summary of evidence found by the Grand Jury:

On October 19, 2024, at 12:22 PM, an employee of the Motel 6, Lincoln City, called 911 to report a domestic disturbance between two guests. It was reported that a male, identified as Francisco Campos, had checked in with a young female and the two had been involved in a verbal dispute. Motel employees recalled hearing the male speak in an aggressive tone towards the female, using derogatory and demeaning language, which escalated when staff heard a loud slap, followed by a female voice yelling out.
Four (4) Lincoln City Police officers responded to the motel. Given the conduct, staff made the decision to evict Campos and the female guest. Motel staff contacted Campos and told him he was being evicted from the room. He was given 10-15 minutes to pack-up and leave the property. Officers learned that Campos had a felony parole warrant for his arrest and planned to wait for Campos to exit his room to effectuate his arrest.
Approximately 10-15 minutes later, a motel employee returned to Campos’ room and advised Campos that he needed to leave the motel. This employee returned a few minutes later and announced her presence before unlocking and opening the door of the room. Officers were standing nearby in the hallway and could hear Campos and the female arguing with the motel employee. The conversation escalated quickly, and officers heard Campos begin to curse at the employee. Concerned for the employee’s safety, an officer entered the threshold of the door and steered the motel employee out of the room. Campos immediately moved into a bladed stance and reached towards his right hip, where
officers believed Campos may have a firearm. In response, Officer Snidow quickly followed into the doorway and drew his firearm and pointed it in the direction of Campos. Officer King and Officer Joshua Lane immediately responded to assist.
Campos was repeatedly ordered by officers, including Officer Snidow, to show his hands, however, Campos responded “Hell no”.

An unnamed officer pointed his taser at Campos and told Campos not to do it and warned him that he would be tased, however, Campos responded “f***ng kill me, kill me.” Officer Snidow ordered Campos not to reach for his firearm and Campos refused and repeatedly responded, “kill me” with his hands down at his side. Officer King drew his firearm and provided cover for Officer Snidow.

While officers continued to attempt to deescalate the situation, Campos unexpectedly lifted his t-shirt, which revealed two firearms in his waistband. In response, Officer Lane took position in the doorway and pointed his firearm at Campos. Officers continued to give verbal commands advising Campos to put his hands up or put his hands on his head. Campos was not compliant and continued to respond with “kill me.”

Campos then took a small step forward and reached for both firearms in his waistband. In response, Officers Snidow,

King and Lane fired their weapons at Campos until Campos fell to the ground. Officer Snidow and Officer King immediately initiated first aid until medics could arrive. Campos was transported to the hospital but was pronounced deceased upon arrival. No pedestrians, bystanders or police officers were injured during this incident.

The Lincoln County Major Crime Team (MCT) was activated and conducted the investigation into the use of deadly force. Oregon State Police Detective Brian Eskridge led the investigation. Detectives from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln City Police Department, Newport Police Department, and Oregon State Police participated in the investigation. An autopsy was conducted by State Chief Medical Examiner Sean Hurst on October 20, 2024.

Dr. Hurst determined Campos’ cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds and five projectiles were removed from his body that appeared to be bullets.

The investigation revealed that Officer Snidow fired his weapon eight times, Officer King fired his weapon three times, and Officer Lane fired his weapon four times.

The Grand Jury applied the facts of this case to the legal principles dictating circumstances when deadly physical force can be used. Specifically, the Grand Jury found that, under the totality of the circumstances known to each peace officer, each officer reasonably determined that the use of deadly physical force was necessary as:
• Deadly physical force was necessary to defend a peace officer and/or another person from the use or threatened imminent use of deadly physical force.
• Under the totality of circumstances existing at the time and place, the use of such force was justified.

The Grand Jury further found that no reasonable alternatives, such as verbal de-escalation, waiting or using other available techniques or resources was reasonable, safe or feasible as the officers gave multiple verbal warnings to Campos and provided him several reasonable opportunities to comply, but he failed to do so.

At the time of this incident, Campos was actively being investigated for an armed robbery that occurred days prior at the Washington Square Mall in Portland, where he was alleged to have smashed jewelry display cases with a hatchet. This hatchet was later recovered in the stolen vehicle associated with Campos at the Motel 6. Campos also had pending charges in Clackamas County for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and in Marion County for theft in the second degree.

Campos was previously convicted of felony stalking, violating a court’s talking protective order, three counts of misdemeanor DUII, felony DUII, recklessly endangering another person, reckless driving, criminal mischief and contempt of court.

Under Oregon law, a District Attorney or Grand Jury, made up of Lincoln County residents, may make the final decision as to whether or not law enforcement officers were justified in their use of deadly force. This case was presented to the Grand Jury by District Attorney Jenna Wallace pursuant to policy. The Grand Jury’s decision required reviewing all the facts and evidence available and applying them to the legal principles above. The Grand Jury concluded that the actions of Lincoln City Police Officer Cody Snidow, Officer Jaylan King, and Officer Joshua Lane were justified and lawful.