Details released in New Year's Day officer involved shooting investigation

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – Police are releasing the name of the person who was shot and killed by police in Central Point on New Year’s Day.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said at about 8:15 p.m. on January 1, someone called 9-1-1 and reported a person was threatening her boyfriend in the 8000 block of Blackwell Road. The caller said she also heard gunshots coming from a shop on the property.

When deputies arrived, they started to secure the scene. One person involved in the incident cooperated with deputies, but another man remained inside. It was believed he was “armed and hostile,” according to the sheriff’s office. The man was later identified as 29-year-old Teddy James Maverick Varner.

Investigators said as they were interviewing the victim, Varner came out of the building with a handgun. He then proceeded to approach deputies, pointing the gun in their direction, JCSO said.

Using a rifle, one of the deputies shot Varner multiple times. He was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The sheriff’s office said Oregon State Police are taking over the investigation. Once all the evidence is gathered, the information will be turned over the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office for review, which is standard in officer-involved shootings.