An Albany police officer shot and killed former Sweet Home resident Rachel Soto, 33, on July 20 after she drew a handgun.
Soto, who was wanted in connection with two Albany-area armed robberies that took place on July 10.
At approximately 1:45 a.m. on July 20, Officer Dezi Meza, a five-year veteran of the Albany Police Department, stopped to investigate a vehicle with two occupants parked in the 3800 block of SE Mountain View Drive.
Once at the vehicle, the officer drew his service weapon after he recognized the rear passenger as Soto, Capt. Eric Carter said. The officer ultimately fired a single round from his service weapon after Soto drew a handgun.
Soto was pronounced dead at the scene by medics.
As is common in any traumatic incident, Carter said, Meza will be on paid administrative leave until he is able to return to duty.
The Oregon State Police, in conjunction with the Linn County District Attorney’s Office, is investigating the incident.
The first robbery took place at the 7-11 store located at 6190 SW Pacific Blvd. at 4 p.m. on July 10, Carter said. At that time, Soto walked into the 7-11, asked the clerk for a pack of cigarettes and then walked towards the door carrying the cigarettes.
When the clerk told Soto she needed to pay for the cigarettes, she pulled a chrome .38 caliber revolver from her pants pocket and pointed it at the clerk.
Soto fled south through the parking lot on foot.
The second robbery took place at the Econo Lodge Motel located at 1212 SE Price Road at 9:30 p.m., Carter said.
At that time Soto walked into the motel lobby and demanded money from the clerk. Soto displayed what was described as a black semi-automatic pistol in her waist band. Soto fled south through the parking lot on foot with several hundred dollars in cash.
The Corvallis Police Department is also investigating a similar robbery that took place on the evening of July 10.