Medford standoff suspect identified, charged – Medford News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2022-10-28

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Medford standoff suspect identified, charged By Nick Morgan Updated: Oct 28, 2022 03:24 PM A A Medford police said Thursday morning they are searching for a potentially armed and dangerous suspect near the interesection of Ross Lane and Rossanley in northwest Medford. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] A Grants Pass man faces a string of felony charges accusing him of running from police in a stolen vehicle during a traffic stop, damaging a patrol vehicle, eluding police and firing at least five rounds from a stolen handgun during a standoff in an industrial area that closed portions of northwest Medford for nearly eight hours Thursday. Daniel Ryan Lee Tiger, 37, was charged by the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office Friday with unauthorized use of a vehicle, unlawful use of a weapon, second-degree escape, first-degree criminal mischief, unlawful use of a weapon and felon in possession of a firearm. Tiger is accused of stealing a white 2016 Mazda CX-9 sport utility vehicle in Medford, using the vehicle to ram a Medford police patrol vehicle during a morning traffic stop, fleeing police into an industrial area and barricading himself in a warehouse located at 695 Brian Way, according to filings in Jackson County Circuit Court. An affidavit filed by Medford police provides new details about the standoff that prompted road closures on Rossanley Drive and forced nearby Logos Public Charter School to put the school on shelter-in-place protocols throughout the day Thursday. Tiger was separately slated to make his initial court appearance on a California extradition warrant out of the San Bruno, California, charging him with possession of a firearm by felon, Circuit Court records showed. At 7:20 a.m. Thursday, several officers were dispatched to Crater Lake Avenue and east Jackson Street after an unknown caller told dispatchers they were behind a stolen vehicle. The caller reportedly hung up on the officer when police tried calling the individual back, but police spotted a Mazda SUV matching the description missing a front plate at Lozier Lane and West Main Street. During a traffic stop at the nearby Walgreens, Tiger allegedly provided a false name, date of birth and claimed the SUV belonged to his mother. The false date of birth happened to match a suspect with a warrant who looked similar to Tiger. While an officer was approaching the driver-side door attempting to take Tiger into custody, Tiger rammed a parked patrol vehicle — forcing an officer to jump out of the way — then drove the SUV backward over an embankment and planter box onto North Ross Lane. Police say he “narrowly avoided colliding with several vehicles,” at times driving into oncoming traffic northbound on North Ross Lane. Police terminated the pursuit because it was close to the Logos Public Charter School zone. Minutes later, the SUV crashed at the intersection of North Ross Lane and Rossanley Drive. One witness told dispatchers they saw Tiger holding a weapon in his waistband, and another witness saw Tiger enter a warehouse at 695 Brian Way. Police swiftly evacuated the warehouse and and surrounded it. While searching the stolen SUV, police found the original license plate, a wallet with Tiger’s driver’s license and a black nylon handgun holster. Medford police SWAT arrived at the warehouse at 10:22 a.m. Soon after, Tiger allegedly fired his first round at police, which prompted police to retreat from the building. About 10:40 a.m., Tiger opened a door and started yelling at police. “Tiger was yelling that he did not believe us and began firing shots inside the building,” the affidavit states. Detectives later found five empty 9 mm shell casings inside the warehouse. Crisis negotiation team members eventually made phone contact with Tiger, and after “several hours” of communications, Tiger surrendered without further incident at 4:34 p.m. Thursday. During the standoff, Medford police were aided by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and Central Point police, according to a follow-up news advisory Friday. Tiger was slated to make his initial appearance Friday afternoon on the eight felony charges, along with four misdemeanor counts, which include attempting to elude police on foot, recklessly endangering another person, hit-and-run causing property damage and reckless driving. Reach web editor Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @MTwebeditor.