Officer involved shooting deemed justified by Grand Jury

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The following is a press release from the Office of Klamath County District Attorney, Eve Costello

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - On August 4, 2022, at approximately 8:30 p.m. Klamath Falls Police Department responded to a call involving a brother chasing another brother with a knife. The victim had sustained wounds to the face.  KFPD Officer Thun and Reserve Officer Austin Gilmore arrived on scene. Witnesses directed them to where the men had gone with Mathew Vaughn chasing his brother, James Vaughn. 

As Officers approached the alley, Mathew Vaughn exited the alley and began to chase Reserve Officer Austin Gilmore with a knife.  Reserve Officer Gilmore repeatedly told Mr. Vaughn to drop the knife as he backed away.  Mr. Vaughn charged Reserve Officer Gilmore and both Reserve Officer Gilmore and Officer Thun opened fire.  Mr. Mathew Vaughn was pronounced dead at the scene.

Today, September 7, 2022, the Klamath County Grand Jury heard testimony from lay witnesses on scene, the involved Law Enforcement Officers and reviewed video footage from body cameras and car cameras.   They determined, seven to zero, that the Officers involved exercised necessary deadly force under the circumstances.

The Klamath County District Attorney thanks the Grand Jury for their service.  We also thank law enforcement for their continued service to our community. We know their job is dangerous and that they take all opportunity to avoid the use of deadly force as was done here.