Holden Austin Gorka: Man Who Tried To Steal Helicopter From Hillsboro Airport Killed By Police

HILLSBORO, OR — The man who held two people at gunpoint while attempting to steal a helicopter from the Hillsboro Airport on Monday was killed by police, according to Hillsboro police spokesman Lt. Eric Bunday.

On Wednesday, Hillsboro police officials released the slain hijacker's name: Holden Austin Gorka, 25. Police said Gorka had no known address at the time of his death and no known connection to the Hillsboro Aero Academy, though Patch has learned Gorka has a history of driving infractions in Tumwater and Olympia, Washington.

A toxicology report on Gorka will take between 60 and 90 days, officials said, though there does not currently appear to be any mental health or substance abuse issues at play. The name of the officer who killed Gorka will be released July 6, officials said.

Shortly after 11:30 a.m. July 3, an unidentified man reportedly jumped a fence into the secure flight area at Hillsboro Airport, 3565 N.E. Cornell Rd. Pulling a pistol and firing one shot, Bunday said, the man ordered two people — a male and a female — out of a helicopter. No one was injured in the initial shooting, Bunday said.

As the suspect got into the helicopter, airport employees pulled their own firearms and held the suspect at gunpoint, waiting for police to arrive.

When the first HPD officer arrived just before 11:40 a.m., the suspect fled south, climbing another fence and crossing Northeast Cornell Road into a field.

Confronting the suspect, Bunday said, an unidentified Hillsboro officer fired his weapon, killing the suspect.

The officer has been put on paid administrative leave pending an investigation, Bunday said.

This post has been updated to include Holden Austin Gorka's name. It will continue to be updated as more information is made available.

Photo Courtesy: Hillsboro Police Department