News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

CLACKAMAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SEEKS SHOOTING SUSPECT KENNETH JAMES LEEPER

Posted: Jan. 22, 2008, 9:19 p.m.

On Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008 at 4:45 p.m., the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a reported shooting of a male subject that had just occurred at 20670 SW 65th Ave. -- a residential address situated just south of I-205 in an unincorporated area of Tualatin in Clackamas County.

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Patrol personnel responded to the address -- and discovered that a 33-year-old white male had been shot with a firearm near his mid-section.

 
The victim was immediately transported from the scene and airlifted to Oregon Health &  Science University Hospital in Portland. This patient was described as conscious and breathing on arrival at the hospital.

A witness at the scene -- described as a 34-year-old white male -- was with the victim when he was shot, and did not suffer any injuries during the shooting incident. This witness is cooperating with Major Crimes Team detectives.

Both victims live at the SW 65th Avenue address, and were working outside the residence, near an out-building on the property, when the shooting occurred. These two victims were not armed, and did not fire any weapons during this shooting attack.

Detectives have been told the suspect is known to both victims, who first observed the suspect arrive on the property at approximately 4:45 p.m. armed with a long -barreled firearm. 

 
For an as-yet unknown reason, the suspect reportedly exited his pickup truck and opened fire on the victims as he approached -- discharging multiple rounds and shooting one of the victims at least one time in the mid-section. The second victim fled the scene, seeking refuge at a neighbor's home who summoned the Sheriff's Office to the scene.

SUSPECT DESCRIPTION:
The suspect (pictured above) is identified as Kenneth James Leeper (born 09-17-1974). He is described as clean-shaven, 5'09" tall and 150 lbs, with shaved brown hair and brown eyes. Leeper has two prior arrests for DUII and Assault. Leeper is also believed to have previously resided in both Lake Oswego and West Linn.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office has Probable Cause to arrest Kenneth James Leeper for Attempted Murder, and Leeper should be considered armed and dangerous.

SUSPECT VEHICLE:
Kenneth Leeper is believed to be driving a vehicle described as a white 1996 Dodge Dakota pickup truck with an extended cab, with Oregon license plate XNH 373.

Anyone with information on the location of this suspect is encouraged to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office at 503-665-8211.

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Contact Info: Jim Strovink, Detective
503-237-2643