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76 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, September 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 18, 2004 Police run to catch murder suspect By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune A 19-year-old man wanted in California on murder charges was arrested Tuesday after leading Medford police officers on a foot chase that began in a Barnett Road gas station parking lot and ended in Bear Creek. Gharrett Paul Parker, a former Phoenix resident who now lives in Stockton, Calif., is also suspected of taking part in a March drive-by shooting in west Medford, police Lt. Tim George said. Parker allegedly attacked a 19-year-old man in Stockton on July 13, Stockton police Lt. Ron Stansbury said. The victim was hospitalized and died nine days later from severe injuries suffered in the attack, which involved no weapons. A no-bail warrant for Parker’s arrest on homicide charges was issued July 27, Stansbury said. On Tuesday, Medford police arrested Parker at about 5 p.m. after he ran from officers and then dove into Bear Creek near the Interstate 5 interchange, George said. "He saw us, we saw him, and the chase was on," George said. Advertisement Before the pursuit, Parker was at a Barnett Road gas station with two women and two children. George said police had planned to follow Parker and arrest him at "a better location" with fewer obstacles, but were forced to chase him down when Parker ran down a hill and into the creek. "We had to resort to ‘Plan B,’ " George said. "Luckily, our people were quick on their feet." Stockton police detectives were headed to Medford late Tuesday to question Parker, George said. "Stockton (police are) happy and we’re happy," he said. "We certainly think (Parker) is a risk to the community and a dangerous person." Medford police believe Parker was one of several men involved in a March 31 drive-by shooting near the intersection of Palm Street and Rose Avenue, George said. No one was injured when at least one shooter riding in a Lincoln Town Car fired six shots from a 9 mm handgun toward three girls, all aged 15 and 16. Two bullets struck a home on the southwest corner of Palm and Rose, police said. "We think (Parker) was in the car," George said. Police say at least two other men were in the car when the shooting occurred. No further arrests have been made in the case, but George said police are hopeful Parker can help them locate additional suspects. Parker was taken late Tuesday to the Jackson County Jail, where he will await extradition to California, George said. Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities