The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety dispatch received a call just before midnight Sunday regarding a collapsed male on NE 6th Street in Grants Pass. American Medical Response personnel responded to the scene and located a man who had been recently stabbed.
Grants Pass Police and Fire Rescue personnel immediately responded, rendered aid and secured the crime scene. Prior to police and medical arrival, it was determined that two men left the room.
The male victim, later identified as 35 year old Victor Barragan-Cruz of Salem Oregon, was rushed to Three Rivers Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased.
Grants Pass Major Crime Detectives responded and took over the investigation while Patrol officers began checking the area for the two men who fled from the room. Both men were later detained and interviewed at length about the stabbing.
The investigation identified 24 year old Esteban Perez-Hernandez of Woodburn Oregon as the primary suspect. Perez-Hernandez was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Murder in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Tampering with Evidence.
A motive for the killing is still under investigation, and there is no additional threat to the public.
