Suspect dead following police chase in Klamath Falls
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Stock photo
The following is a press release from Klamath County District Attorney, Eve Costello.
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - On Monday, May 16, 2022, at approximately 4:25 pm, a Klamath Falls Police Officer stopped a motor vehicle, operated by Garrett Turnham, age 35, in the parking lot of Dickey’s Mini Store in Klamath Falls, Oregon. During the traffic stop, the Klamath Falls Police Officer was informed Mr. Turnham had a felony warrant for his arrest.
Turnham fled the scene of the traffic stop and eluded the Klamath Falls Police Officer.
Turnham drove through a fence at Mills Elementary School and traveled through the schoolyard grass area where his passenger, identified as Jennalea Stich, got out of the vehicle. Turnham then accelerated out of the Mills Elementary School and traveled south on East Main Street while the Klamath Falls Police Officers pursued him.
Next, Turnham traveled westbound on South Sixth Street towards downtown Klamath Falls, where he pointed a firearm at the pursuing officers and fired multiple shots. Turnham continued to repeatedly fire at officers as they pursued him through downtown Klamath Falls. Several pedestrians reported being shot at by Turnham.
The pursuit ended near the intersection of Commercial Street and 7th Street where Mr. Turnham appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
No officers or citizens were injured during the incident.
At the direction of the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office, the Klamath County Major Crime Team was activated to investigate the incident. The Oregon State Police was designated as the lead investigating agency.
The Klamath County Major Crime Team is comprised of the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office, the Klamath Falls City Police Department, the Klamath County Sheriff’s Department, Klamath County Community Corrections, and the Oregon State Police.
On Friday, May 20, 2022, the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy and determined Mr. Turnham died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.