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@gppolice
Grants Pass, Ore. – This morning at 7:29 AM, Grants Pass Police responded to Southridge Way in Grants Pass for reports of a man running in the street and threatening to shoot people. Upon arrival, officers located the man, who they quickly assessed as likely suffering from a combination of mental illness and methamphetamine-induced psychosis. To protect the citizens in the neighborhood, officers isolated the subject and began de-escalation attempts by talking with the subject to gain his compliance. The man shouted to officers that he had a gun and was going to shoot them. Officers showed extreme restraint as the man continually reached into his jacket and waistband to simulate drawing a firearm. The officers, who were unable to verbally gain the man’s compliance, ultimately deployed a less-lethal Taser device to take the subject into custody. The man was found to be in possession of methamphetamines and narcotics smoking pipes, but no gun was found. Neither the officers nor the suspect received serious injuries because of the incident.
The man was identified as 33-year-old Joshua C. Wilson of Grants Pass. After receiving medical clearance at the Three Rivers Medical Center, Wilson was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two counts of Menacing, Criminal trespass, and a Probation Violation Detainer. He also received a citation for possessing less than a gram of methamphetamines, which is currently a Class E violation in Oregon.
This incident serves as another example of the dangers of narcotics use, such as methamphetamines, and the potentially lethal consequences that using drugs can create. The Grants Pass Police Department is thankful lethal force was avoided in this case and appreciates the extraordinary steps officers took to protect the safety of all involved. The Grants Pass Police Department also thanks the affected citizens for their patience during the incident.
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