Hoax Shooting Call in Merlin, Oct. 17

The Oregon State Police is requesting public assistance is locating a “victim” in what appears to be a hoax shooting call in Josephine County. On October 8, 2017 at approximately 3:45 AM, Oregon State Police responded to a report of a shooting on Stonebrook in Merlin, Oregon. The 911 call was from the reported victim, with a possible identification of Michael M. Stevens, who told 911 he had been shot by a rifle and was hiding, from the shooter, in the nearby woods. Dispatchers kept Stevens on the phone and OSP responded to the location. The reported “suspect” was called out from the residence and detained. The surrounding woods were searched and Stevens was not located. The phone was “pinged” to find the location and the phone was found in a nearby ditch. Based on the investigation, the incident appears to be a hoax which put many people’s lives in danger and tied up resources as part of a prank. The Oregon State Police is asking for public assistance in locating or identifying Stevens or any information be reported to (541) 664-4600.