A Black Mustang Driven at High Speed Passed Linn County Deputies Led to an Unexpected Chain of Events

LINN COUNTY, Ore. — While investigating an unrelated disturbance near Lebanon, a black Mustang drove past deputies from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) at 117 mph, heading towards Albany, leading to an unexpected chain of events that ended in the arrest of three suspects.

A Deer Was Shot From a Window of the Black Mustang

Meanwhile, shortly before, the Sheriff’s Office had received a 911 dispatch that someone had shot a deer from the window of a black Mustang in Honey Sign Drive shortly after 7 p.m. on Saturday, 12 April.

LCSO also received a report that a black Mustang was being driven recklessly in the area, with the driver racing and performing burnouts in the middle of the road.

After passing the deputies at speed, the car was seen overtaking other vehicles in No Passing zones.

The deputies gave chase but soon lost sight of the speeding car, said Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan, whose office then received reports that the black Mustang was involved in a hit-and-run incident after side-swiping a 2018 Mercedes.

Several other law enforcement agencies joined LCSO deputies to search for the car found by the owner of the Mercedes parked in a Goldfish Farm Road driveway near Albany. Three people had fled from the vehicle.

A perimeter boundary was set, and drones and members from the K-9 Unit assisted with the search.

Law enforcement arrested passenger William Franklin (19) from Oklahoma without incident.

The driver of the Mustang and father of William, Justin Franklin (36), also of Oklahoma, resisted arrest and was subsequently bitten by a Lebanon Police K-9 before he was subdued and taken into custody.

The third suspect, Mason Guidry (20), from Louisiana, was arrested without incident. Both he and Justin Franklin were hiding in a nearby field.

An investigation revealed that an AR-15 rifle had been used to shoot the deer, and a Palmetto State Armory AR-15 rifle was later found concealed in blackberry bushes in the field where the men were hiding.  The deer was not located, and its fate is unknown.

Justin Franklin was transported to Albany General Hospital, where he was treated for dog bite wounds and later lodged at the Linn County Jail. He has been charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, felon in possession of a firearm, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, and failure to perform the duties of a driver.

The LCSO was assisted by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Lebanon Police Department, Albany Police Department, and Oregon State Police.