Ashland Officer Justified in Use of Deadly Force, Suspect Indicted by Grand Jury
Evidence and testimony was presented to a Jackson County Grand Jury related to the investigation into the officer-involved shooting that occurred on "A" Street in Ashland October 26th. According to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office, at approximately 2 a.m. that Monday, Ashland Police Department officers Alex Vela and Lorenzo Elder responded to a business alarm on A Street and encountered Phillip Battaglia, 36, armed with a knife. He threatened the officers upon their arrival, ignored repeated commands to drop the knife, and advanced toward Officer Vela. When Battaglia reached the front of Vela’s patrol vehicle still holding the knife, Vela fired two shots, striking Battaglia in the leg and stopping his advance. Even after being shot and while still on the ground, Battaglia swung the knife in the direction of Officer Elder and continued refusing commands. He eventually dropped the knife, and officers immediately provided medical aid until Ashland firefighters arrived.
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No Threat after Unfounded Rogue River High School Report of Student with Gun
Rogue River Junior Senior High School has returned to normal operations after an unfounded report of a student with a firearm on the way to school prompted a precautionary “secure status” this morning. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Rogue River Police Department officers responded and determined there was no credible threat to the school. The “secure status” was lifted shortly after 8 a.m., and there is no further threat to students, staff, or the school community. Law enforcement responded to a report of a Rogue River High School student potentially carrying a firearm in their backpack on the way to school this morning at 7:31 a.m. The report prompted school officials to place the school in a “secure status” as a precaution while law enforcement investigated and ensured the safety of students and staff. Law enforcement contacted the student after a parent dropped them off at school, but before the student entered the building, it was confirmed the student did not have a firearm. There is no ongoing threat to students, staff, or the school community. JCSO takes all reports of potential threats to school safety seriously.
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Emergency Crews Responded to Fatal Vehicle Crash in Murphy
The 911 Dispatch Center was notified Monday at 5:07 p.m. of a motor vehicle crash that resulted in a fatality in Murphy. Rural Metro Fire, American Medical Response, Oregon State Police, and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived to find a pickup truck rolled off an embankment and the driver had been ejected. The driver Brent Smith, 54, was deceased upon arrival and was the only occupant in the vehicle. The initial investigation indicates the vehicle was traveling towards Spencer Creek on a gravel BLM road. The vehicle left the roadway, and went down an embankment, striking several trees, before coming to rest on its side nearly 500 feet down from the roadway. Josephine County Search & Rescue's Rope Team was activated and successfully recovered Brent. Next of kin has been notified. No further information will be released at this time.
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