Detectives Investigating Rural Central Point Murder Last Night, Suspect in Custody (Photo)

JCSO Case 22-6002

RURAL CENTRAL POINT, Ore. - Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies responded to a shooting last night at 12:24 a.m. on the 3500 block of Kirtland Road in rural Central Point. The shooter fled the scene and was located on I-5 South near Talent, Ore. The suspect eluded during a traffic stop and law enforcement initiated a pursuit. With the help of a successful spike by an Ashland Police Department officer, the suspect came to a stop at I-5 mile marker 13.5 south of Ashland and was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect, Thomas Anthony Murphy II, 37, of Medford, Ore., was charged with second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree attempted murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and elude. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. 

Murphy shot the victim multiple times on a gravel pull out near the Denman Wildlife Area along Kirtland Rd. before fleeing the scene. A Mercy Flights ambulance transported the victim to a local hospital where they were pronounced deceased shortly after arriving. Victim identification is pending notification of next of kin. An autopsy is scheduled for this afternoon.

Medford, Ashland, Phoenix, and Talent Police Department officers assisted JCSO deputies in locating and pursuing the suspect vehicle. 

Investigations are open and ongoing with detectives working additional leads. Oregon State Police and Medford Police Department detectives are assisting as part of a Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) call out. No further information is currently available for release.

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