On Wednesday, July 7th, Medford Police officers were dispatched to a business alarm at the Allergy and Asthma Center on Crater Lake Avenue just before 2:45am. Evidence of forced entry was discovered by officers upon initial arrival to the scene and a perimeter around the business was established as additional Officers arrived.
Officers that initially responded to the scene discovered a broken window upon arrival, and an individual was heard inside before relaying to the officers that he was armed with a knife.
Minutes later, at 3:05am, the individual suddenly exited the building, aggressively approaching officers with the knife before the individual was shot and officers reported shots fired.
The incident, which was captured on officers’ body worn cameras, revealed that 2 Medford Police Officers fired their weapons at close range. The officers have subsequently been placed on paid administrative leave, per policy and procedure and the video captured on the officers’ body worn cameras will be part of a thorough investigation which once completed, will be presented to a Grand Jury.The suspect, identified as 35 year old Jerry Allen Gunter was shot at the scene and did not survive. The officers were not injured.
The Oregon State Police will lead an investigating agency assisted by the Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit comprised of investigators from the Oregon State Police, Medford Police, Jackson County Sheriff, Central Point Police, Ashland Police, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
