News Release from: Washington Co. Sheriff's Office
PR 121205 UPDATE-ROSA ROAD SHOOTING FINAL
Posted: December 5th, 2012 5:01 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/1128/59910/Steven_Rhee.jpg (Booking photo)
December 5, 2012 - Grand Jury indicts man in the October 2, 2012, Rosa Road
shooting. The incident left one man deceased at the scene.
Today, December 5, 2012, a Washington County Grand Jury charged Steven Rhee,
40, from Beaverton with Felony Attempted Robbery and other charges for his part in
an October 2, 2012, incident. Mr. Rhee was associated with Forest Alig when Mr. Alig
was shot by Galen Griffin, 41, from Aloha.
This was a very complicated investigation, which was completed by the Washington
County Violent Crimes Unit Detectives. Investigators believe that Mr. Alig and Mr.
Rhee were following Mr. Griffin, waiting for the opportunity to rob Mr. Griffin of his
backpack. They followed Mr. Griffin for over 10 blocks through the neighborhood on
SW Rosa Road close to SW 183rd Avenue. Mr. Griffin continuously changed direction
and concealed himself in an attempt to avoid a harmful confrontation with Mr. Alig and
Mr. Rhee.
Investigators believe Mr. Alig and Mr. Rhee split up when they lost sight of Mr. Griffin
while they were following him. They were communicating with each other by cell
phone as they eventually located and reconvened in an attempt to contact Mr. Griffin.
Investigators believe Mr. Alig and Mr. Rhee were carrying knives when they attempted
to confront Mr. Griffin.
Mr. Griffin called the Sheriff's Office and reported that he believed he was being
followed. Mr. Griffin did the right thing by calling deputies to help him, but prior to
deputies arriving, Mr. Alig confronted Mr. Griffin. During the confrontation, Mr. Griffin
warned Mr. Alig repeatedly to get away from him and to leave him alone. It was
reported Mr. Alig ignored the warnings and continued the confrontation. Mr. Griffin
shot his handgun once toward Mr. Alig, but Mr. Alig continued to advance on Mr.
Griffin. Mr. Griffin shot his handgun a second time towards Mr. Alig, then ran away
down SW Rosa Road in the opposite direction.
Deputies arrived and contacted Mr. Griffin; he was cooperative with investigators.
Deputies found Mr. Alig deceased on the side of SW Rosa Road with one gunshot
wound in his chest. Deputies contacted Mr. Rhee a short distance away and
interviewed him concerning his involvement.
There were two knives found on the side of SW Rosa Road in close proximity of where
the incident occurred. Investigators sent the knives to the crime lab to search for
possible evidence that would connect them to anyone involved in the incident. The
knives were connected to Mr. Rhee by undisputable DNA evidence. It is believed Mr.
Alig and Mr. Rhee both had possession of the knives at some time during the incident.
The Washington County District Attorney's Office presented the case to a Grand Jury
on December 5, 2012. The Grand Jury indicted Steven Rhee and charged him with
Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree,
Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Distributing/Possessing a Controlled Substance
(methamphetamine). Steven Rhee is currently lodged in the Washington County Jail
on Unauthorized Entry to a Motor Vehicle and violating his parole on previous
incidents. The additional Grand Jury charges will be added today.
There are no charges filed against Mr. Griffin because it is believed he was in fear of
serious imminent physical harm from Mr. Alig. Oregon State Law (ORS 161.205 [5])
allows a citizen to use force, including deadly force, to reasonably defend one's self
from imminent physical harm.
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