Suspect killed, officer wounded in exchange of gunfire N. of Klamath Falls

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- An exchange of gunfire with law enforcement killed the suspect and wounded an officer north of Klamath Falls late Friday afternoon, Klamath County District Attorney Eve Costello said.

Sheriff's deputies responded around 4:15 p.m. to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 1700 block of Fargo Street, the DA said. The initial report indicated an intoxicated man was trying to take his children.

When deputies arrived, the man was no longer on the scene. Klamath County 911 issued an "attempt to locate" for the vehicle with a description, also noting there was a 6-year-old child in the vehicle and that the suspect had an AK-47 rifle, Costello said.

A short time later, an Oregon State Police trooper spotted the vehicle and a pursuit by deputies and OSP troopers began near Biehn Street and Crater Lake Parkway, then headed north on Highway 97, the district attorney said.

Sheriff's deputies deployed a spike strip on Highway 97 and the vehicle was brought to a stop on Wocus Road.

"The driver exited the vehicle and fired numerous shots at the officers," Costello said. "Law enforcement returned fire."

The suspect died at the scene and the child was unharmed, Costello said. The names were withheld pending further investigation.

The Klamath County Major Crime Team is investigating, with Klamath Falls Police assigned as the lead agency

Following policy, the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave during the pending investigation.