Just after 9:30am Wednesday morning, September 16th, Grants Pass Police responded to reports of a male inside a home under construction. As the individual was challenged by a job site worker, a scuffle ensued and the individual fled the home and attempted to steal a nearby truck.
The man was unable to leave in the vehicle and ran from the area. Within minutes, officers received information the man was inside a nearby backyard and making statements to harm himself while trying to stab himself with a gardening tool.
Officers contacted the man and immediately tried to calm the man, de-escalate the incident and gain compliance. Within minutes, he rushed toward officers with the tool in his hand. One of the officers deployed less lethal bean bags rounds and three of the officers fired their duty weapon.
Officers administered first aid and the man was transported to Three River Medical Center and is currently in critical condition. No officers were injured during the incident. The weapon held by the man appeared to be a weeder tool, which is similar to a large flat head screwdriver.
The Josephine County Major Crimes Team was activated, and the Oregon State Police Criminal Division will lead the investigation.
