Sheriff’s Deputy Fires at Fleeing Suspect in Florence Pursuit
FLORENCE, Ore. — A late-night encounter on October 9, 2025, led to a high-stakes pursuit and arrest on Herman Cape Road, north of Florence, after a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy confronted a wanted suspect. Tyler Ashton Leavitt, 41, of Indiana, was arrested following a dangerous chase involving gunfire, vehicle collisions, and a tactical maneuver.
Around 11:30 p.m., a deputy spotted a suspicious pickup on U.S. Forest Service land. Upon identifying Leavitt, the driver, deputies discovered an Indiana warrant for his arrest on charges including disarming law enforcement, criminal recklessness, and resisting law enforcement. When deputies attempted to arrest him, Leavitt accelerated toward a deputy on the narrow road, striking a patrol car. Fearing for the deputy’s safety, a second deputy fired at Leavitt, who was unharmed. The targeted deputy narrowly escaped by diving out of the way.
Leavitt fled, attempting to enter a driveway in the 5000 block of Herman Cape Road but was blocked by a locked gate. He rammed a patrol car while reversing, then drove through the gate, causing significant damage. Leavitt continued off-road, crashing through a fence before re-entering Herman Cape Road. Deputies ended the pursuit with a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT), disabling the pickup. Leavitt was arrested without further resistance.
Leavitt was booked into Lane County Jail on charges including fugitive from justice, attempt to elude by vehicle, four counts of recklessly endangering, reckless driving, two counts of assault on a public safety officer, three counts of first-degree criminal mischief, and resisting arrest.The Oregon State Police and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance. The case, LCSO 25-4904, remains under investigation.
Around 11:30 p.m., a deputy spotted a suspicious pickup on U.S. Forest Service land. Upon identifying Leavitt, the driver, deputies discovered an Indiana warrant for his arrest on charges including disarming law enforcement, criminal recklessness, and resisting law enforcement. When deputies attempted to arrest him, Leavitt accelerated toward a deputy on the narrow road, striking a patrol car. Fearing for the deputy’s safety, a second deputy fired at Leavitt, who was unharmed. The targeted deputy narrowly escaped by diving out of the way.
Leavitt fled, attempting to enter a driveway in the 5000 block of Herman Cape Road but was blocked by a locked gate. He rammed a patrol car while reversing, then drove through the gate, causing significant damage. Leavitt continued off-road, crashing through a fence before re-entering Herman Cape Road. Deputies ended the pursuit with a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT), disabling the pickup. Leavitt was arrested without further resistance.
Leavitt was booked into Lane County Jail on charges including fugitive from justice, attempt to elude by vehicle, four counts of recklessly endangering, reckless driving, two counts of assault on a public safety officer, three counts of first-degree criminal mischief, and resisting arrest.The Oregon State Police and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance. The case, LCSO 25-4904, remains under investigation.
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