A 46-year-old Twin Falls man died Saturday evening following a police response in Ontario, Oregon, prompting the activation of the Malheur County Major Crimes team and a formal investigation led by Oregon State Police.
Mark Alan Olson was pronounced dead at 8:47 p.m. on Saturday, less than an hour after Ontario Police officers responded to a report at 8:04 p.m. of a man threatening to use a firearm near a bowling alley in Ontario. Officers deployed less-lethal tools — a pepper ball and a taser — during the encounter. No firearms were discharged by law enforcement.
No Gun Found; Officers on Leave
After Olson began experiencing a medical emergency during the incident, paramedics were called to the scene and performed life-saving measures, but their efforts were unsuccessful. A subsequent search of Olson and his vehicle turned up no firearm, according to investigators.
Per department policy, four Ontario Police officers involved in the response were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Oregon State Police are leading the inquiry with assistance from the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office. Once the investigation is complete, the Malheur County District Attorney’s Office will conduct a formal review.
An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the official cause of Olson’s death.
DA Asks Public to Reserve Judgment
Malheur County District Attorney David M. Goldthorpe addressed the public following the incident, urging restraint as investigators work through the facts. “This is not the result any sworn officer wants when responding to a dangerous behavior call,” Goldthorpe told KMVT. “I would ask the public to please reserve any judgment towards any parties involved until the investigation is complete.”
The case draws attention from both sides of the Idaho-Oregon border. Olson was a resident of Twin Falls, and community members in Magic Valley may be following developments closely as investigators piece together what happened during the roughly 43 minutes between the initial call and Olson’s death.
The use of less-lethal force and the absence of a firearm — despite the original report of a gun threat — are central questions the investigation will need to address. Whether the taser or pepper ball deployment contributed to Olson’s medical episode will likely be a key focus of both the autopsy findings and the district attorney’s review.
What Comes Next
Oregon State Police, assisted by the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, will continue building the investigative record before turning their findings over to District Attorney Goldthorpe’s office for prosecutorial review. Autopsy results will be a critical piece of that review, helping determine whether any criminal charges or departmental actions are warranted.
The four officers remain on administrative leave during this period. No timeline has been given for when the investigation is expected to conclude.
For additional public safety coverage from across the region, visit Twin Falls Police Chief Describes Community Pain After In-N-Out Shooting. For statewide news and updates, visit Idaho News.