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Shootout injures Medford officer photos by Bob Pennell Police search Medford's Prune Street neighborhood Saturday, above, for evidence after a shootout with a suspect. From left are Oregon State Police Sgt. Richard Kuehmichel and Medford Police Department officers Greg Nichols, Bob Hansen and Rob Havice. Police arrest gunman after trading fire By Jessica Smith of the Mail Tribune A police cruiser sped at 85 mph through Medford at 3:13 a.m. Saturday, its flashing lights casting a red-yellow-blue glow on passing homes and shops, before pulling to a quiet stop on a westside street. Handguns used by the suspect were dropped near some toys outside a Columbus Street Apartment. Stepping from his standard-issue Ford, Medford police Sgt. Dave Ryder gently closed the door and made his way to a duplex at 439 S. Columbus Ave., where officers were looking for an armed man. About 3:30 a.m., the shouting began. "Shots fired! Shots fired!" Then: "Officer down! Officer down!" A man toting two handguns opened fire on two Medford police officers, striking 29-year-old patrolman Scott Clauson in his right thigh. It was the first time a Medford officer had been shot while on duty in 66 years. Within a minute, officers apprehended the alleged shooter, Moises Sanchez-Llamas, 26, who refused to give police his address. Clauson, who was pulled out of the line of fire by Ryder, was immediately taken to Rogue Valley Medical Center for treatment. Authorities said he was in serious condition Saturday night in the hospital's intensive care unit. Oregon State Police Lt. Gary Knowles walks through the crime scene where a police officer was shot early Saturday morning. The letters indicate location of evidence. Although Clauson and officer Mike Strouse returned fire at the suspect, he was not struck by any bullets, police said. Sanchez-Llamas faces two counts of attempted aggravated murder, Jackson County District Attorney Mark Huddleston said. Authorities Saturday applauded the responding officers and their ability to apprehend the suspect quickly. "This was a terrible incident ... but there were a lot of good things that happened," Lt. Tim George said. "When times are at their worst, we're at our best." Police were still gathering evidence at the scene Saturday, but the following scenario emerged from the investigation so far: At 3:13 a.m., Ryder and eight officers responded to a report of an armed man who had forced his way into the Columbus Avenue duplex. The man was apparently looking for a woman who wasn't there. At least one girl and an elderly man were inside. Aside from barking dogs and curious neighbors wrapped in warm blankets, the street was dark and quiet when officers began placing themselves in strategic locations outside the duplex and nearby residences. Clauson and Strouse stationed themselves near a home on Prune Street, just off Columbus. About 3:30 a.m., the armed man ran south from the rear of the duplex toward Prune Street, where he apparently saw the officers and began firing with two guns, a semi-automatic handgun and a revolver. Clauson and Strouse returned fire. Police said they believe one bullet from one of the suspect's guns hit Clauson during the exchange. The shooter then reportedly fled north toward 431 S. Columbus Ave., where he was taken into custody. He was not armed at that time, although the guns were nearby. They were found amid some children's toys.He was not armed at that time, although the guns lay at his feet, near some children's toys. Police also found $92 at the scene. "God, it was scary," said Elizbeth Pulliam, a Columbus Avenue resident who crouched on her front porch to watch the incident unfold. "I could see the flashes from the shots. It was all so weird." Charles Richardson, the owner of the Prune Street home where Clauson was shot, said he and his wife were awakened by the gunfire. "I looked outside and the police officers were out there doing their job and I guess they caught the bad guy," said Richardson, who has lived in the white house at 1416 Prune St. for just six months. "We just moved here -- something like this happens and it can put a sour taste in your mouth," he said. Richardson said at least three bullet holes were found in his home, but police said Saturday it was uncertain how many rounds had been fired by the suspect or officers. A grand jury is expected to convene Tuesday to determine whether to charge Sanchez-Llamas in the shootings, Huddleston said. The suspect was lodged on $2 million bail at the Jackson County Jail Saturday on probable cause. The grand jury also will determine whether Clauson and Strouse were justified in firing their weapons, Huddleston said. Chief Eric Mellgren said his department already is looking into the officers' actions, standard in such cases. "We investigate even when we know the facts," Mellgren said. "We have to ask and answer all the questions." Ryder, graveyard shift supervisor, called the incident "a good, clean shooting." "This is a shooting that will prevail unscathed," Ryder predicted shortly after the gunfire exchange. "The suspect had two guns and he fired first." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA