SHOOTING INCIDENT

Grants Pass Dept. of Public Safety

On 05-24-2021, Grants Pass 911 received a disturbance call in the 500 block of NW Butler Ave.  As officers were responding, it was reported the disturbance involved a 19-year-old male, later identified as Zenobius Lyon, and his 17-year-old brother.  During the altercation, Zenobius allegedly used a firearm and shot his juvenile brother.  The father of the two siblings attempted to intervene and was injured during an altercation.  

As officers arrived on scene, they located the juvenile male outside of the residence and immediately rendered emergency medical care for a gunshot wound.  Grants Pass Fire-Rescue personnel and medics from AMR arrived shortly thereafter, continued aid and transported the juvenile to the Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford. Josephine County Sheriff’s Deputies also assisted police officers establishing a perimeter around the home.  Officers also contacted the father, and safely removed him from the area where he was treated for a non-life-threatening injury. 

Zenobius remained inside the home and refused to exit.  Officers established a perimeter around the residence and after several PA announcements, Zenobius refused to exit the residence.

Due to the above facts and circumstances, Grants Pass SWAT and CNT Teams responded.  Nearby residents were contacted and warned to evacuate and/or shelter in place.  A short time later, a police officer was able to make cell phone contact with Zenobius.  This provided an opportunity to de-escalate a tense standoff while the Grants Pass Crisis Negotiations Team setup.   After communications were transferred to negotiators specifically trained for these situations, SWAT Team members establishing a tactical plan for a safe resolution.

After several hours of negotiations, Zenobius agreed to exit the residence and was taken into custody without incident.  Zenobius was later interviewed by GPDPS detectives and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the above listed charges. 

The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety would like the thank the nearby residents for their cooperation and patience as we worked to resolve this incident without any further injuries.  We would also like to thank our partner first responder agencies for their assistance with this case.  

Further questions regarding the incident should be referred to the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office.