May 26, 2022 4:00 a.m.

A Myrtle Creek man is dead following an officer involved shooting Wednesday morning.

Captain Stephanie Bigman of the Oregon State Police Grants Pass office said at about 8:00 a.m. deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Weaver Road to investigate a domestic violence complaint. When they arrived, the suspect, 60-year old Spencer Heckathorne, had fled the scene. Bigman said probable cause was established to arrest Heckathorne for the crimes of menacing and recklessly endangering.

Shortly after 10:00 a.m. deputies and officers from the Myrtle Creek Police located Heckathorne on Weaver Road near his residence. Bigman said the suspect’s vehicle allegedly rammed two DCSO patrol vehicles before crashing into a ditch. After exiting his vehicle, the suspect allegedly remained uncooperative and engaged a uniformed deputy. That deputy fired his weapon, striking Heckathorne one time. Deputies began rendering aid to the suspect who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

OSP Major Crimes detectives from Roseburg and Springfield responded to assist the Douglas County Major Crimes team and is leading the investigation. The local team is comprised of members of the Roseburg Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office and the Oregon State Police.

Additional details regarding the investigation will be made available through the D.A.’s office.