Police ID man shot, killed by off-duty officer in Oregon

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) - Police say they have identified the man shot and killed by an off-duty officer in the parking lot of a Medford oil-change shop.

The Mail Tribune reports (https://bit.ly/1V8vheI ) that Medford police Interim Chief Randy Sparacino says the man shot Monday was 27-year-old Timothy Joseph Alex Caruthers.

Sparacino says Caruthers was caught shoplifting at Sportsman’s Warehouse and began slashing at employees with a knife. Police say the officer identified himself and intervened.

Sparacino says Caruthers ran across a highway and into a parking lot, where he swung the knife at the officer. Police say that’s when the officer fired two shots at the man, killing him.

The officer has been placed on administrative leave. State police are investigating.

Sparacino says he won’t identify the officer until a grand jury hears the case.

___

Information from: Mail Tribune, https://www.mailtribune.com/