Update on the September 3 officer-involved shooting in Canby

OREGON CITY, Or. -- On September 3, 2026 at approximately 10:30 p.m., Canby police officers responded to a report of a man attempting to force his way into an apartment at 259 S. Sequioa Parkway.

Officers contacted the individual, Mario Francisco Mendoza Jr., 34 (Hispanic male) and attempted to detain him in the parking lot of the Canby apartment complex.

Mr. Mendoza did not comply with verbal commands from the officers and attempted to flee on foot. During the brief pursuit, Mr. Mendoza turned toward the officers with a handgun drawn and fired at them.

Sgt. Britton Nelson and Sgt. Allen Miller of the Canby Police Department returned fire striking Mendoza. The officers fired more than 20 shots in response. The incident was captured on body-worn camera.

Officers immediately rendered emergency aid until Canby Fire District personnel arrived and determined that Mr. Mendoza was deceased.

Sgt. Nelson has been with the Canby Police Department since 2016. Sgt. Miller has been a law enforcement officer since 2013 and with the Canby Police Department since 2017. 

Both officers have been placed on paid critical incident leave in accordance with department policy.

Pursuant to Clackamas County Critical Incident protocol, this matter will be submitted to a Clackamas County grand jury for an evaluation of the use of deadly physical force. The investigation is on-going and being led by Lake Oswego Police Department and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with the Clackamas County Major Crimes Team. There will be no further comment or release of information until after grand jury is complete.