Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on April 12, 2025, at 7:07 p.m., Linn County Dispatch received a 911 call where someone shot out from the window of a black Mustang at a deer in the area of Honey Sign Drive near Lebanon. The same vehicle was then reported to drive recklessly in the area, doing burnouts in the middle of the road and racing through the area.
At the time of the call, deputies were responding to an unrelated disturbance when the black Mustang passed them at 117mph traveling in the opposite direction towards Albany, passing vehicles in no passing zones and driving recklessly. Deputies turned around to locate the vehicle but lost sight soon after.
During their search, dispatch received additional calls about the black Mustang to include a hit and run where the Mustang side swiped a 2018 Mercedes and continued to leave the area. Deputies were joined by multiple law enforcement agencies in search of the Mustang. Soon after the Mercedes owner located the Mustang parked in a driveway on Goldfish Farm Road near Albany. Deputies learned three people fled from the vehicle. Deputies began to set up perimeter where drones and K9’s were requested to assist in the search.
Three people were located during the search. Passenger, William Franklin, 19, from Oklahoma, surrendered without incident. The second passenger Mason Guidry, 20, of Louisiana and driver Justin Franklin, 36, of Oklahoma, and father of William Franklin, were located in a nearby field they fled to in an attempt to hide. Mason surrendered without further incident, while Justin refused to cooperate and comply with commands. Due to statements and use of firearms previously, a Lebanon Police K9 was deployed to gain compliance from Justin Franklin who was taken into custody after being bit by the K9.
During the investigation, it was determined Justin was the driver and used an AR-15 rifle to shoot at the deer while on Honey Sign Drive. Evidence of the shooting was seized from inside the Ford Mustang. A Palmetto State Armory AR-15 rifle was later found hidden in blackberry bushes where the occupants were first seen running into the field. The field on Honey Sign Drive was later searched in the dark and the deer was not located. It is unknown if the deer was shot, injured, or killed.
Justin Franklin was transported to Albany General Hospital for treatment of the dog bites and later lodged at the Linn County Jail for Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangerment and Fail to Perform the Duties of a Driver. Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Lebanon Police Department, Albany Police Department and Oregon State Police.