A tense backwoods manhunt outside Sprague River is over, with law enforcement arresting a third suspect in a June 30 double shooting that wounded two people, authorities said. Deputies have now booked three people in connection with the case, which is being handled by the Klamath County Major Crime Team.
Third suspect arrested
Deputies arrested 30-year-old Taylor Lalande without incident near the 11-mile marker on Forest Service Road 44 and booked him into the Klamath County Jail on charges that include attempted murder and assault, according to KDRV. Officials said the arrest followed a multi-agency investigation into the June 30 shooting. Lalande remained in custody as investigators continued collecting evidence for prosecutors.
What happened at the scene
On the evening of June 30, deputies responded to a report of gunfire in the 22000 block of Sprague River Road. They found 40-year-old Jesse Leese with a single gunshot wound, and he was taken to Sky Lakes Medical Center, according to Klamath Alerts. Another person, 46-year-old Summer Swager, had minor injuries and was treated and released. Authorities have described the shooting as an isolated dispute among the people involved, not a random attack.
Investigation under way
The Klamath County Major Crime Team, which includes the Klamath County Sheriff's Office, Klamath Falls City Police, Oregon State Police and the Klamath County District Attorney's Office, is leading the investigation, Basin Life reported. Detectives have asked anyone with information to contact the Klamath County Sheriff's Office at 541-883-5130, according to the agency's public statements. Officials said there is no known ongoing threat to the wider community.
Legal status
Local reports indicate that 46-year-old Summer Swager and 46-year-old Adam Keenan were also lodged at the Klamath County Jail on attempted murder charges. The Klamath County District Attorney's Office will decide what formal charges to file as the case moves forward, according to Klamath Alerts. A booking is not a conviction, and all three suspects remain presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court.
Detectives say the investigation is very much active and are urging anyone who saw or heard anything related to the shooting to step up. Tipsters can reach the sheriff's office at 541-883-5130.
