Grants Pass Police Department

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News Release

Kidnap Suspect Lodged In Jail - 03/13/26

*** Grants Pass, OR

Kidnap Suspect Lodged in Jail

On March 4, 2026, at about 5:44pm, Grants Pass 911 Communications received an emergency call from an elderly female. The caller reported that a man had fired a gun in her home, striking his own leg. Police officers responded to the residence in the 2400 block of Leonard Road.

Officers from both the day shift and night shift teams went to the home; a couple of them even doubled up in units. Due to limited information, one of the officers called the residence. The officer learned there was another elderly person in the home being held hostage by the man who shot himself in the leg.

Knowing a person was being threatened with potential deadly force, officers notified the Grants Pass Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) and Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) to put them on standby.

The officers helped the elderly female exit the home through the back door. They continued to gather more intelligence about the dynamic scene inside the residence. The officers wanted to see a safe outcome for both the hostage and the suspect, which required additional resources and information, along with a contingency plan.

During this planning stage, patrol officers then heard shots from within the residence and immediately feared for the safety of the hostage. Without consideration for their own safety, the officers courageously and immediately forced entry into the home to rescue the hostage. This is one of the most dangerous moments for all involved, and our officers, without specialized tools or additional protection, put someone else's safety above their own.

Once inside the home, they discovered the suspect had shot himself in the chest. The police officers transitioned immediately to lifesaving mode and began to provide emergency medical care to the suspect. Other officers helped the elderly male hostage get out of the home safely.

AMR and Grants Pass Fire provided further advanced care and transported the suspect to Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford. He had been in the hospital's care until today, when he was released. With the assistance of the Medford Police, Lee Christopher Davis, a 51-year-old, was taken into custody by the Grants Pass Police Major Crimes Unit.

Davis was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Kidnapping in the First Degree (x2), Unlawful Use of a Weapon (x2), Menacing, Felon in Possession of a Weapon, and Interfering with Making a Report (x2).

We are grateful to the skilled patrol sergeant and the eleven brave officers who performed at the highest level. It is due to their incredible work that both the elderly residents were not injured, and the suspect's life was saved.

Further questions will need to be directed to the Josephine County District Attorney's Office.

Kidnap Suspect Lodged In Jail - 03/13/26

*** Grants Pass, OR

Kidnap Suspect Lodged in Jail

On March 4, 2026, at about 5:44pm, Grants Pass 911 Communications received an emergency call from an elderly female. The caller reported that a man had fired a gun in her home, striking his own leg. Police officers responded to the residence in the 2400 block of Leonard Road.

Officers from both the day shift and night shift teams went to the home; a couple of them even doubled up in units. Due to limited information, one of the officers called the residence. The officer learned there was another elderly person in the home being held hostage by the man who shot himself in the leg.

Knowing a person was being threatened with potential deadly force, officers notified the Grants Pass Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) and Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) to put them on standby.

The officers helped the elderly female exit the home through the back door. They continued to gather more intelligence about the dynamic scene inside the residence. The officers wanted to see a safe outcome for both the hostage and the suspect, which required additional resources and information, along with a contingency plan.

During this planning stage, patrol officers then heard shots from within the residence and immediately feared for the safety of the hostage. Without consideration for their own safety, the officers courageously and immediately forced entry into the home to rescue the hostage. This is one of the most dangerous moments for all involved, and our officers, without specialized tools or additional protection, put someone else's safety above their own.

Once inside the home, they discovered the suspect had shot himself in the chest. The police officers transitioned immediately to lifesaving mode and began to provide emergency medical care to the suspect. Other officers helped the elderly male hostage get out of the home safely.

AMR and Grants Pass Fire provided further advanced care and transported the suspect to Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford. He had been in the hospital's care until today, when he was released. With the assistance of the Medford Police, Lee Christopher Davis, a 51-year-old, was taken into custody by the Grants Pass Police Major Crimes Unit.

Davis was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Kidnapping in the First Degree (x2), Unlawful Use of a Weapon (x2), Menacing, Felon in Possession of a Weapon, and Interfering with Making a Report (x2).

We are grateful to the skilled patrol sergeant and the eleven brave officers who performed at the highest level. It is due to their incredible work that both the elderly residents were not injured, and the suspect's life was saved.

Further questions will need to be directed to the Josephine County District Attorney's Office.