Minassian Sentenced to Jail

Larry Minassian, the 53-year-old Salem man found guilty of threatening police with a Samurai-style knife in Jan. 2011 and was shot by police during the incident, was sentenced to one to four years in jail Thursday, according to the Eagle-Tribune.

The paper reported Minassian got a two-to-four-year suspended sentence on a reckless conduct charge but was given the jail sentence on a criminal threatening charge. Minassian lost his left leg as a result of injuries he sustained after being shot by police.

Police responded to Minassian's home that night and found him in an agitated state. According to police, they found him with a "large sword," and he charged at the officers after they'd pleaded with him to stop.

Police said three officers fired on Minassian, injuring him. Use of force was later justified by the state Attorney General's office.

"This was a tough situation for all involved," Salem Deputy Chief of Police Shawn Patten told Patch Thursday. "We're pleased Mr. Minassian is being held accountable for his actions that night."