A scare on Gold Ray Road late Thursday turned into a two-for-one takedown for Jackson County deputies after a shots-fired call drew a multi-agency response and a short vehicle chase that wrapped up on Interstate 5. Deputies say it started when a driver told dispatch that a man confronted her about her speed, fired a round into the ground, then fired another in her direction before driving away. No injuries were reported.
Investigators later stopped a truck matching the suspect description and arrested 28-year-old Frank Pennisi of Bandon. Deputies say a search of his vehicle turned up two firearms, and he was booked on counts including menacing, unlawful use of a weapon and reckless endangering. The arrests followed a call to ECSO 911 and a quick investigative push from deputies who also tracked a second truck tied to the incident, according to a news release from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
Pursuit, Spike Strips and a Second Surprise Arrest
Deputies say they then initiated a pursuit of another vehicle that also matched the suspect description, laying spike strips to stop the fleeing truck. Even on its rims, the vehicle kept rolling to Interstate 5 near Gold Hill before finally giving up the ghost. The driver bolted on foot but was quickly taken into custody.
Deputies identified that driver as 38-year-old Jay William Oncher-Fontaine of Wolf Creek and determined he was not involved in the shooting. He was still lodged on multiple felony warrants and booked on new charges that included attempting to elude, driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving and other offenses. "Pennisi admitted shooting in the area and being angered by drivers traveling too fast," the release states, according to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
Charges and the Legal Fine Print
According to the sheriff's office, Pennisi faces counts listed as menacing and firearm-related offenses, while Oncher-Fontaine's booking stems from his outstanding warrants and several traffic-related felonies. Under Oregon law, menacing is codified at ORS 163.190, and unlawful use of a weapon appears in ORS chapter 166, statutes that can carry significant criminal exposure depending on how prosecutors choose to charge the conduct.
The sheriff's office said it was assisted at various stages of the incident by the Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon State Police, Central Point Police Department and Rogue River Police Department. The cases remain under investigation, and deputies are asking anyone with information or video related to the incident to contact the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
