The manhunt for a fourth suspect wanted in connection with the November 21st homicide in the 1400-block of Rogue River Highway is over.
The Grants Pass Police Department confirms that 48-year-old Kelly Lynn Mason was shot and killed by law enforcement at the intersection of Redwood Highway and Allen Creek Road during the noon hour today.
Police said Kelly was considered armed and extremely dangerous. Following a short pursuit, the suspect reportedly crashed his vehicle into a light pole and began firing a gun at officers. Police returned fire and the suspect was declared deceased.
In an interesting development, GPPD had issued a press release about the manhunt for Mason just minutes before he was shot and killed.
On November 21st at 7:42 p.m., Grants Pass Police responded to a report of gunshots fired inside an apartment on Highway 99 near Hamilton Lane. Upon arrival, officers found a female victim who had been shot and a male victim who had been severely beaten. The gunshot victim -- Katherine Crago -- did not survive her wounds and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The male victim was taken to a local hospital where he was expected to recover from his injuries.
Over the past three weeks, the GPPD Major Crimes Unit had conducted an intense investigation including meticulous forensic analysis and community collaboration. The investigation revealed the victims had been specifically targeted for the robbery that resulted in murder.
The investigation has resulted in the arrests of Sasha Marie Moe, Rick Eric Braton Lester and Michael Fay Woodruff. All three suspects have been lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of 2nd-Degree Murder, Attempted 2nd-Degree Murder, 1st-Degree Robbery, 1st-Degree Burglary, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon and 2nd-Degree Assault.
