Shooter who caused ‘life-altering’ injuries to 2 ClackCo deputies gets 30 years in prison

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The man who shot and injured two Clackamas County deputies during a burglary investigation in 2023 was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Thursday, authorities said.

Tyler James Scott, 34, pleaded guilty to two counts of

first-degree attempted murder last month after taking a plea deal that dismissed burglary, theft, assault and other charges, the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office said.

Though the injured deputies, Jeremy McKenna and Daniel Blair, attended the sentencing, they did not make statements after returning to duty last year following a recovery period.

“What happened to these deputies was significant and life-altering,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Owen. “Both will carry it with them for the rest of their lives.”

On June 30, 2023, McKenna — then newly hired — and Blair — her training officer — were both hospitalized after being shot. This all happened after they were responding to a report of a burglary near Southeast Johnson Creek Boulevard and Southeast Bell Avenue in Clackamas.

The owner of a business at 6919 SE Johnson Creek Boulevard had reported the burglary just after 7 a.m., with McKenna, Blair and two other deputies responding about 10 minutes later.

After a few minutes, Blair and McKenna located a wooded encampment where they found both Scott and a burglary accomplice, 48-year-old Joseph Ray Schaffer.

At first, Scott appeared to raise his hands in surrender, only to quickly pull out a stolen 9mm handgun from his waistband and fire multiple shots at the deputies within seconds of Blair and McKenna announcing their presence.

Schaffer, who was unarmed, was not involved in the shooting and did not know Scott planned to shoot the deputies. However, Schaffer later pleaded guilty to first-degree theft and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 18 months of probation. The investigation revealed that he and Scott had stolen about $1,000 worth of tools from the business.

Authorities said Blair was shot in the left shoulder, causing nerve damage and a fractured bone. At least three shots were fired at McKenna. One bullet struck McKenna’s hip, another was absorbed by his ballistic vest and a cell phone on his torso and a third whizzed by his head.

Scott attempted to flee but was later taken into custody that same day by the two other deputies responding to the scene.

At his sentencing, Scott turned to the two deputies whom he shot and injured, and said, “I don’t make any excuse for what I did. I’m glad you guys are alright.”

Clackamas County Sheriff Angela Brandenburg released a statement about the sentencing:

“Today, Tyler Scott was sentenced to 30 years in prison for shooting Deputies Dan Blair and Jeremy McKenna on June 30, 2023. Today’s sentencing delivers accountability and justice.

“I’m incredibly grateful Deputies Blair and McKenna survived this potentially fatal encounter and that they have returned to serving our community. Their strength, resilience, and determination are an inspiration to all of us. I hope this moment is able to bring some measure of healing and closure for them, their families, our office, and our community.“