An attempted carjacking in Grants Pass escalated dramatically Friday morning after police say an armed suspect pistol-whipped a victim, ran from the scene, and was later shot by three responding officers.
According to a press release posted by the Grants Pass Police Department on Facebook, officers were called to the 1600 block of Northeast 6th Street at approximately 7:09 a.m. on August 7 after receiving reports of a man attempting to break into a vehicle.
Police say the suspect displayed a firearm during the incident and then struck the victim in the head with the body of the gun, commonly referred to as pistol-whipping. After the confrontation, the suspect fled on foot, running south on Northeast 7th Street.
The suspect apparently decided sticking around to discuss the situation with police wasn't part of the morning itinerary.
While officers were still responding to the original scene, patrol officers spotted a man matching the suspect’s description on Midland Avenue, just west of Northeast 7th Street. According to police, the officers were driving clearly marked Grants Pass Police vehicles and wearing standard uniforms with “POLICE” clearly displayed on the front.
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Police say that during the encounter, the suspect pointed a firearm at the officers.
Believing they were facing an imminent threat of death or serious physical injury, three officers fired their duty weapons. The department said the officers were also attempting to prevent the armed suspect from potentially causing further harm to members of the public following the assault that had occurred only moments earlier.
Immediately after the shooting, the officers began providing emergency medical aid to the suspect, who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Officers continued rendering care until American Medical Response and Grants Pass Fire/Rescue arrived and took over treatment.
The suspect was transported to Rogue Regional Medical Center, where he remained under medical care at the time the department issued its release.
Police said none of the officers involved were physically injured. Grants Pass Police Major Crimes Unit detectives and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to secure the area, confirm that no one else had been hurt, and preserve evidence while independent investigators were called in.
The officer-involved shooting investigation has been turned over to Oregon State Police. OSP is being assisted by the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, detectives with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon State Police Forensic Services Division.
Investigators were still working to identify the suspect when the release was issued.
The Grants Pass Police Department said the independent investigation is intended to provide an objective review of the facts and determine whether the officers’ actions complied with Oregon law.
The incident also led to significant road closures and disrupted access to nearby businesses while investigators processed the scene.
So, according to police, this began with an attempted vehicle break-in, escalated into an armed assault, turned into a foot chase, and ended with the suspect allegedly pointing a gun at responding officers.
There are probably easier ways to start a Friday morning.
Further information is expected to come from Oregon State Police and the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office as the investigation continues.
The shooting remains under investigation, and the allegations surrounding the events leading up to it have not yet been tested in court.
