An incident in a Madras neighborhood ended peacefully after a man fired a gun in his home. According to a news release from the City of Madras, at approximately 6:25 pm on February 12, 2024, Frontier 911 dispatchers received a request for a welfare check on a despondent person in a home located in the 400 block of Northeast Cedar Street. The caller informed dispatchers that there was one male subject in the home who had harmed himself and fired shots inside the home. All others in the home escaped without incident and were heading to a safe location offsite.
Officers immediately received additional coverage from neighboring law enforcement agencies and Emergency Medical Services personnel were standing by while the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team deployed. Due to the information dispatchers were receiving from the callers, officers began evacuating nearby residences and then staged themselves to address the incident as safely as possible while keeping eyes on the affected residence. Officers then attempted contact with the subject who did not respond.
At approximately 7:16 pm, firefighters on scene noted a strong odor of natural or propane gas. For that reason, Cascade Natural Gas was contacted to perform a gas shutoff to the area for the safety of the neighboring properties and all involved. Additionally, an emergency notification was delivered through the Jefferson County Everbridge system alerting neighbors to shelter in place. To “shelter in place” means to stay indoors and remain there until you are given an “all clear” or told to evacuate.) Everbridge is a Jefferson County notification system that residents can sign up for to receive alerts about emergencies in their area such as evacuations, sheltering-in-place, water issues, etc.
Officers were issued a search warrant at 7:30 pm, entered the home at 8:20 and the subject was transported to St. Charles Hospital for evaluation. The shelter-in-place order was lifted, evacuees were allowed back in their homes, and law enforcement will remain in the area and at the residence to complete their investigation.
“From beginning to end, officers kept the safety of all, including the person experiencing crisis, at the forefront,” stated Police Chief Timothey Plummer.” Dispatchers did an outstanding job, neighbors did exactly what officers asked, and all law enforcement teams worked together flawlessly. “While the incident caused some temporary inconveniences to the neighbors, the inconveniences were necessary for everyone’s safety.”
If you, or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available nationwide 24/7 by dialing 988.
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