Officer Involved Shooting - 08/07/26

On August 7, 2026, at approximately 7:09 a.m., Grants Pass Police officers responded to the 1600 block of NE 6th Street following reports of a male attempting to break into a vehicle.

During the incident, the suspect displayed a firearm. He then struck the victim’s head with the body of the gun, commonly called “pistol whipping.” After the confrontation, the suspect fled on foot, running south on NE 7th Street.

While en route to the original scene on 6th Street, responding patrol officers observed a male matching the suspect's description on Midland Avenue, just west of NE 7th Street. The officers were operating clearly marked Grants Pass Police patrol vehicles, and each officer was wearing a standard Grants Pass Police uniform with "POLICE" clearly displayed on the front of the uniform.

During the encounter, the suspect pointed a firearm at the officers. Faced with what they perceived to be an imminent threat of death or serious physical injury, three officers discharged their duty firearms.

The officers' use of deadly force was in response to the immediate threat posed by the armed suspect. At the time of the encounter, the officers were also attempting to prevent the suspect from causing further harm to members of the public following the reported armed assault that had occurred moments earlier.

Immediately following the use of force, the involved patrol officers rendered emergency medical aid to the suspect, who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Officers continued providing care until relieved by American Medical Response and Grants Pass Fire/Rescue.

The suspect was transported to Rogue Regional Medical Center for medical treatment. He continues to receive medical care at the time of this release.

Grants Pass Police Major Crimes Unit detectives and Josephine County Sheriff's Office patrol deputies responded to the scene to secure the area, confirm that no other individuals had been injured, and preserve evidence pending the arrival of independent law enforcement investigators. All the officers with our Department are safe and physically uninjured.

The investigation into this officer-involved shooting has been assigned to the Oregon State Police. The Oregon State Police are 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 are working to identify the suspect.

The Oregon State Police are conducting an independent investigation into this officer-involved shooting to ensure a thorough and transparent review of the incident. The Grants Pass Police Department is committed to maintaining public trust and accountability and believes an independent investigation is essential to providing the community with an objective assessment of the facts and the officers' actions under Oregon law.

The Grants Pass Police Department appreciates the public's patience and cooperation in avoiding the area during the investigation. The incident required significant road closures and affected access to nearby businesses while investigators processed the scene.

Further information regarding this incident will be provided by the Oregon State Police and the Josephine County District Attorney's Office as the investigation progresses and additional details can be released.
 

Wanted Person 2026-25832 (Photo) - 07/30/26

The Grants Pass Police Department’s Emergency Communications Center received a call on July 30, 2026, at 0722 hours, about a domestic disturbance.  The caller reported it occurring at a residence in the 1400 block of NE Meier Drive.  Grants Pass Police Officers responded to the area and discovered the suspect had fled out the back door. 

After the subsequent investigation, the officers established probable cause to arrest Anthony Teal for Strangulation and Menacing.  Officers continued to search for Teal in the area.

At 0757 hours, it was reported Teal was stealing a car on NE D Street Beacon Drive.  Teal had pulled a male driver out of his car, but the victim driver attempted to keep control.  With the victim driver hanging on, Teal hurriedly accelerated onto NE D.  Almost immediately, Teal struck another motorist who had stopped after seeing the car theft.  Teal struck the other car with enough force to deploy the airbags in the other motorist’s car.

Teal then sped backwards, with the victim driver still being dragged from the car.  After Teal stopped to shift into drive, the driver was able to free himself.  Teal then fled that scene, showing no regard for the driver of the car he had stolen.  American Medical Response aided the victim driver at the scene for undisclosed injuries.

Within two minutes of the car theft, a deputy with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office located Teal near the railroad bridge on the Grants Pass Parkway.  The deputy attempted a traffic stop, and Teal eluded.  As the pursuit approached the South Y intersection, Teal drove into oncoming traffic.  The deputy terminated the pursuit as the danger to the public was too great.

Callers reported Teal running a red light and driving in the turn and center lanes, even though law enforcement had already stopped the pursuit.  Teal continued to drive recklessly, putting other people in danger.  Law enforcement lost sight of Teal because it was too dangerous to follow him closely.

While checking the area of Redwood Avenue for Teal, law enforcement discovered a crash at Leonard Road and Willow Lane.  The stolen car had been abandoned at the scene, and it was determined Teal had already fled the area on foot.  Because of the time delay between the crash and officers arriving on scene, Teal’s whereabouts were unknown.  Officers never had a chance to see Teal during his escape as it occurred before they arrived.

A massive effort to apprehend Teal included law enforcement from the Grants Pass Police, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, the Oregon State Police, the Grants Pass Police Major Crimes Unit, and the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement team.  The search also included K-9 officers and an unmanned aircraft system, commonly known as a drone.  Despite law enforcement's efforts, Teal was not located. 

After this search, officers continued to look for Teal.  Numerous citizen tips were received on his location, and officers investigated each one.

Teal is described as a white male, five-foot-eight, and between 170-200 pounds.  He has a bald head, green eyes, and a beard.  A camera caught Teal during his escape wearing a light gray shirt, black shorts, and black shoes. 

Anthony Teal, age 36, should not be approached if you see him.  Please call 911 to report his location so law enforcement can take him into custody.  In addition to the crimes in the initial domestic violence case, Teal is further wanted for Robbery in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Vehicle, Elude, Failure to Leave the Name at the Scene of an Accident, Reckless Driving, and Reckless Endangering.

The case was turned over to the Grants Pass Police Major Crimes Unit.  Persons with information about the case can call 541-450-6260 to speak with a detective.  

Police Activity - 07/30/26

*** UPDATE: The roadways are open.  A press release will be provided later today.

Due to an ongoing police matter, please avoid the area of Leonard Road, Willow, and Dowell. We will update you when the roadways are open.

Water Bead Incident - 07/21/26

Update:

The Grants Pass Police Department completed a thorough investigation into the recent gel-bead incident in which a female juvenile was victimized.

As a result of the investigation, several arrests were made. The following were lodged at the Juvenile Justice Center for Assault in the Third Degree, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, and Criminal Conspiracy.

Male Juvenile, age 16
Male Juvenile, age 15
Male Juvenile, age 13

Two other juveniles will have charges referred to the Juvenile Department for the charges of Assault in the Third Degree, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, and Criminal Conspiracy.

Female Juvenile, age 16
Male Juvenile, age 11

The GPPD is committed to the safety and well-being of our community, and the importance of a thorough investigation cannot be understated. No further information on the identity of the involved juveniles will be provided due to their ages.

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On July 12, 2026, at about 1302 hours, the Grants Pass Police Department received a report of a female juvenile being struck by water beads as she walked down the street.  This occurred around NE Jackson Street.

As a result of the incident, the female juvenile suffered from numerous injuries to her back.  The injuries were consistent with being struck by the water beads, which are fired from a gel-bead “blaster.”  Store descriptions of the blasters advertise they fire beads at a high velocity that burst when they hit a target

.

The suspects, all male juveniles, fired the water beads as they drove past the victim.  They fled the scene but were subsequently identified. 

This remains an active investigation of a high priority for the Grants Pass Police Department. Due to the age of those involved, no further details will be provided at this time.

Those with information about this incident, or related incidents, are encouraged to call 541-450-6260.