GRANTS PASS, Ore. (Aug. 7, 2026) — A suspect accused of assaulting a man with a firearm and later pointing that weapon at responding police officers was shot by Grants Pass police Friday morning and remains hospitalized, authorities said.
According to the Grants Pass Police Department, officers were dispatched at approximately 7:09 a.m. on Aug. 7 to the 1600 block of Northeast 6th Street after receiving reports of a man attempting to break into a vehicle.
Police said the suspect displayed a firearm during the confrontation and struck the victim in the head with the gun, an act commonly referred to as “pistol whipping.” The suspect then fled the area on foot, running south on Northeast 7th Street.
While responding to the original call, patrol officers spotted a man matching the suspect’s description on Midland Avenue, just west of Northeast 7th Street. Authorities said the officers were driving clearly marked Grants Pass Police patrol vehicles and were wearing standard department uniforms with “POLICE” prominently displayed.
During the encounter, police said the suspect pointed a firearm at the officers. Believing they faced an imminent threat of death or serious physical injury, three officers fired their duty weapons.
Authorities said the officers used deadly force in response to the immediate threat posed by the armed suspect while also attempting to prevent further harm to the public following the reported armed assault minutes earlier.
After the shooting, the involved officers immediately began providing emergency medical aid to the suspect, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Officers continued rendering care until personnel from American Medical Response and Grants Pass Fire/Rescue arrived and assumed treatment.
The suspect was transported to Rogue Regional Medical Center, where he remains hospitalized. Police said investigators are continuing efforts to confirm the suspect’s identity.
Additional Grants Pass Police Major Crimes Unit detectives and deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to secure the scene, ensure no additional victims were involved, and preserve evidence pending the arrival of independent investigators. No officers were injured during the incident.
Under Oregon protocols for officer-involved shootings, the investigation has been turned over to the Oregon State Police. The agency is being assisted by the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon State Police Forensic Services Division.
Authorities said the independent investigation is intended to provide a thorough and objective review of the officers’ actions under Oregon law.
The shooting prompted significant road closures Friday morning and temporarily affected access to nearby businesses while investigators processed the scene.
Officials said additional information will be released by the Oregon State Police and the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office as the investigation continues.
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