LANE COUNTY, OR — A Lane County man wanted on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges was found dead inside his home after a standoff with sheriff’s deputies, according to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the encounter began after they responded to a menacing call in the 34200 block of Matthews Road on Sept. 25 at about 7:15 p.m. The investigation led them to develop probable cause to arrest 56-year-old James William Lipe Jr. on charges including kidnapping in the second degree, assault in the fourth degree, menacing, strangulation, interfering with making a report, violating a restraining order and unlawful use of a weapon.
Deputies say Lipe was armed and made threats of a gunfight
Lane County sheriff’s officials said Lipe had guns and made statements that suggested he might get into a shootout with police. In response, deputies brought armored rescue vehicles to the scene and began trying to communicate with him.
The sheriff’s office said negotiators also tried to make contact, but Lipe did not answer. Officials said they believed he may have been posting on social media while inside the house, adding another layer to the tense standoff that kept deputies from entering immediately.
Arrest warrant was sent electronically before deputies moved in
After the failed attempts to reach Lipe, deputies obtained a warrant for his arrest and sent him a copy electronically. Even then, there was still no response from inside the home.
Deputies then deployed a drone to look inside the residence. Sheriff’s officials said the drone showed Lipe lying down with an injury to his head and a gun near his hand, giving deputies their first clear view of what was happening inside.
Drone image led deputies to force entry into the house
After seeing the drone footage, deputies forced their way into the home. Once inside, they confirmed that Lipe was dead.
The Lane County Medical Examiner’s Office was contacted, and Lipe’s body was removed from the scene. Officials have not said exactly when or how the injury to his head happened, and they have not released further details about the circumstances that led to his death.
Multiple allegations had already been developed during the investigation
The charges deputies said they had probable cause to pursue covered a wide range of allegations. They included kidnapping in the second degree, assault in the fourth degree, menacing, strangulation, interfering with making a report, violation of a restraining order and unlawful use of a weapon.
Those allegations were part of the investigation that unfolded after the initial menacing report. Sheriff’s officials did not say whether any other people were inside the home or whether anyone else was hurt during the incident.
Sheriff’s office says there is no threat to the public
Lane County sheriff’s officials said there is no ongoing threat to the public following the standoff and Lipe’s death. The case remained a law-enforcement and medical examiner matter after deputies secured the scene.
The incident ended with the body being taken from the property and deputies clearing the area. The sheriff’s office has not announced any additional arrests or described further enforcement action connected to the Matthews Road address.
