GRANTS PASS OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING

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News Release from Oregon State Police
Posted on FlashAlert: September 23rd, 2014 5:01 PM

Members of the Josephine County Major Crime Team, led by Oregon State Police (OSP) Criminal Investigations Division, are continuing the investigation into the death of a 29-year old Grants Pass man early Monday during a standoff with officers from Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS). The following is an update with information authorized for released by the Josephine County District Attorney's Office.

On September 22, 2014 at approximately 9:38 p.m., GPDPS officers responded to 171 Blossom Drive in Grants Pass following the report of an identified individual armed with a handgun who menaced at least one person at the residence. The original report stated that the suspect, DANIEL DIAZ, age 29, who lived at 144 Blossom Drive, armed with a firearm fired at least one round.

Officers and SWAT team members from GPDPS responded to the scene and tried several times to call out DIAZ from inside the single story residence where he was spotted holding what was believed to be a handgun. Officers tried numerous times using a PA system to encourage DIAZ to surrender peacefully without injury to him or officers. A GPDPS sergeant also briefly spoke with DIAZ on the phone but he hang up during the conversation.

During the standoff, shots were exchanged between DIAZ and GPDPS officers. SWAT officers also fired several chemical munitions into the residence to get DIAZ to surrender without further incident. Some area residents may have mistaken the use of chemical munitions as coming from firearms.

About 5 hours after the initial report of the menacing call, officers gained entrance inside the residence and they found DIAZ deceased from at least one gunshot wound. No officers were reported injured.

Per direction of the District Attorney, OSP was designated the lead investigating agency. The OSP Forensic Services Division came to the scene to process for evidence.

An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of the death. DIAZ is a known felon who also had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for his arrest on a charge of Menacing.

Three GPDPS officers were placed on paid leave per their department's policy pending the ongoing investigation. Their names are not being released at this time.

The Josephine County Major Crime Team consists of members from OSP, GPDPS, and Josephine County District Attorney's Office.

No photographs for release.

Hasta la wago Chuy.