This explains why everyone was so tight-lipped in the immediate aftermath of today's officer-involved shooting. The Portland Police Bureau tonight released an updated account of what happened, and it contains a very troubling revelation:

The suspect did not comply with police commands and an officer fired a less-lethal beanbag shotgun five times. As officers were taking the suspect into custody, it was discovered that the less lethal beanbag shotgun was loaded with lethal shotgun rounds. Officers provided immediate medical care and called for an ambulance.

The bureau says five pellets hit the man in the hip area. His wounds are still considered non-life-threatening. Detectives also apparently don't know who he is yet.

We're all lucky the man's injuries weren't life threatening. The bureau says it's investigating how the mix-up happened and includes a general explanation of its safeguards, which, in this case, didn't work. The officer in the shooting has been with the police bureau for 15 years and will be placed on leave.

The Police Bureau began carrying less lethal beanbag shotguns in the mid-1990s. An incident like this has never occurred prior to today. Training protocols require the officers who are certified in this weapon to visually inspect each round. Lethal rounds are red and blue and less lethal rounds are yellow and clear in color. Officers are required to also do a safety check and load the weapon at the beginning of their shift.

"We are just at the beginning stages of this investigation," says Chief Michael Reese. "Our training protocols are designed to prevent this from happening. I have instructed supervisors to immediately remind every less lethal beanbag shotgun operator to visually inspect each round as they are loaded into the weapon and review less lethal beanbag shotgun training protocols."

Click through to see the full release.

This morning, Thursday, June 30, 2011, at 9:55 a.m., Portland Police Officers assigned to Central Precinct responded to Lair Hill Park, located at 3037 Southwest 2nd Avenue, on the report of a man harassing kids attending a camp at the park. The caller reported to 9-1-1 that the man appeared intoxicated. As officers were en route, the caller reported that the man left the area on foot. A second caller to 9-1-1 reported that the man was armed with a pocketknife concealed up his sleeve.

Based on preliminary reports, officers located the suspect at Southwest Pennoyer and Naito Parkway. He fled on foot up an embankment toward Barbur Blvd. The suspect did not comply with police commands and an officer fired a less-lethal beanbag shotgun five times. As officers were taking the suspect into custody, it was discovered that the less lethal beanbag shotgun was loaded with lethal shotgun rounds. Officers provided immediate medical care and called for an ambulance.

The suspect is believed to have been hit by 5 pellets in the hip area and was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening wounds. Detectives have not positively determined the suspect's identity at this time.

An investigation immediately began, as with all officer-involved shootings and is continuing. The Independent Police Review Division (IPR) Assistant Director also responded to the scene for the first time, as directed by the new ordinance involving officer-involved shootings.

The Police Bureau began carrying less lethal beanbag shotguns in the mid-1990s. An incident like this has never occurred prior to today. Training protocols require the officers who are certified in this weapon to visually inspect each round. Lethal rounds are red and blue and less lethal rounds are yellow and clear in color. Officers are required to also do a safety check and load the weapon at the beginning of their shift.

"We are just at the beginning stages of this investigation," says Chief Michael Reese. "Our training protocols are designed to prevent this from happening. I have instructed supervisors to immediately remind every less lethal beanbag shotgun operator to visually inspect each round as they are loaded into the weapon and review less lethal beanbag shotgun training protocols."

The involved officer, a 15-year veteran, is on paid administrative leave per Bureau policy. The Police Bureau will release more information tomorrow as the investigation continues.