Josh Eastman, Josephine County District Attorney, concluded the review of the Debbs Potts Bridge officer-involved shooting, determining the use of deadly force was justified.
According to a release from the DA's office, the shooting that occurred on February 7th after 12:30 p.m. garnered numerous calls to 911 saying there was a woman on the bridge with two handguns. Grants Pass Police units arrived to set up a perimeter, blocking traffic in both directions.
Despite the suspect, Alicia Shelton, pointing her weapon at officers initially, as well as refusing their commands and at one point charging them, officers attempted to de-escalate the situation by giving her verbal warnings, both commanding and asking Shelton to drop the firearm multiple times.
Around 12:36 p.m., after having been asked more than ten times to drop her weapon, she pointed it directly at officers parked in the middle of the bridge. An officer, who the firearm was pointed at directly, fired one round from his duty rifle, followed by another officer from his.
While rendering aid to Shelton, it was discovered she had a "less-lethal" weapon. During an investigation by the Oregon State Police, a replica "Glock" pellet gun was found in the river on the opposite side of the bridge.
It was determined both officers' use of deadly force was justified, and all the GPPD officers' actions on scene that day were in textbook compliance with Oregon law. No further action in this matter is anticipated nor merited.
