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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 27, 2005 Police shoot Medford youth after attack By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Shot by police after allegedly attacking his neighbor, a Medford teen remained under guard Monday at a local hospital. Justin Miles Pina, 17, underwent surgery at Rogue Valley Medical Center for a single gunshot wound to his torso, said Medford police Lt. Mike Moran. Pina is suspected of stabbing 55-year-old Helen Marie Brown, who also was hospitalized at RVMC, Moran said. Medford officer John Torgerson shot Pina after responding to a 9-1-1 call from Brown’s Gilman Road home at about 7:49 a.m., Moran said. When he arrived, Torgerson heard screaming and found Pina in the home’s side yard standing over his neighbor with a large kitchen knife, Moran said. Refusing to drop the weapon upon Togerson’s order, the teen advanced toward the officer, who shot him once, Moran added. Advertisement "The shot did not stop him," Moran said. "However, he did drop the knife." Torgerson used a Taser stun device to bring Pina under control. The suspect was handcuffed and taken to RVMC. Officers twice had been to Pina’s home earlier Monday. They first were called to the 700 block of Gilman Road at about 2 a.m. because Pina was behaving violently toward his parents and younger brother and damaging things inside the house, Moran said. Officers attempted to resolve the situation but did not take Pina into custody or charge him with a crime at that time, Moran said. Pina called the police department about 30 minutes later and asked officers to return to his house so he could speak with them, Moran added. Brown later saw Pina standing in the street when she returned home from running some errands, Moran said. The teen forced his way inside her home and attacked her as she was on the phone with emergency dispatchers, he said. When Torgerson arrived, Brown appeared to have several stab wounds and head injuries, Moran said. Investigators are looking into Pina’s mental state at the time of the alleged crime and the possibility of drug use, Moran said. The teen has been acting strangely for the past few months, but police believe his behavior before Monday had not involved weapons, the lieutenant said. Pina faces charges of attempted murder and first-degree assault. Medford officers will guard him during his hospital stay, Moran said. Torgerson, a 16-year veteran of the police force, has been placed on administrative leave according to the department’s protocol, Moran said. A grand jury is expected to evaluate the shooting, he added. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Student Loans Online Pharmacy tcg student loan consolidation Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Online Casino Fundraisers Advertisement s