On June 14, 2016, at about 3:06 p.m., Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance with shots fired at 2306 Happy Valley Road, Roseburg. When deputies arrived, they found an adult female had been shot. The shooter was reported to be on foot in the area. Law enforcement officers from all around Douglas County responded to the incident. The woman was later identified as Lisa E MARTIN, age 19, from the Eugene area. The suspect, a 25 year old Springfield man, was identified as Joseph A GEORGE. While Deputies were attending to Martin, the suspect fired a shot at them from a wooded area. Two Deputies returned fire. The suspect fled the immediate area and medics were able to transport Martin from the scene. Officers searched the area and located the suspect deceased in a nearby field within about two hundred feet of the residence. The initial investigation determined the male died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and was not struck by any of the deputy’s bullets. This was later confirmed by the medical examiners autopsy. Martin was transported to Mercy Medical Center and later transferred via air ambulance to Sacred Heart – Riverbend in Springfield for life threatening injuries. Martin has since been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. The Douglas County Major Crimes Team is investigating the incident with the Oregon State Police being the lead investigative agency. Douglas County Sheriff’s Office initially responded along with the Oregon State Police and Roseburg Police Department. Per the Douglas County Response to Deadly Physical Force Plan and the Douglas County Major Crimes Team agreement, a Major Crimes Team was activated to investigate the incident. At the request of Sheriff John Hanlin, and in consultation with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, the Oregon State Police has been designated as the lead investigative agency.
