Incident: Officer Struck by Gunfire
Location: 1800 Block of Market Street – Springfield
Case Number: 23-6013
Date/Time: Initial Call – 8:09 a.m. | Suspect In Custody – 10:03 a.m.
More Information: Public Information Coordinator | spdpi@springfield-or.gov
Completed By: Lieutenant George Crolly

INVOLVED SUSPECT:
Groff, Michael Allan 46-Year-Old Male | Springfield, OR

NARRATIVE OF INCIDENT:
The Springfield Police Department 911 received multiple calls from concerned area residents at 8:09 am on August 31, 2023, regarding a man breaking items in the street and acting erratically. SPD Patrol Officers responded to the scene and attempted to contact the man who had retreated into a residence. While officers were knocking at the door to attempt contact, gunfire erupted from inside the house. One officer was struck and was able to move out of the direct line of fire. A second officer was struck by fragments resulting from the shots and also moved to a position of out of the line of fire.

The investigation has revealed the suspect fired approximately 30 rifle rounds from inside the residence. A call for assistance was broadcast by the Officers who were under fire and every available Springfield Police member responded to the residence to assist with evacuating the wounded officers and containing the suspect. The suspect fired a shotgun multiple times out of the front door of the residence during the extraction of the wounded officers and while police were working to establish containment of the location. No officers or community members were struck by those shots.

Additional Officers responded to assist from the Eugene Police Department, Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and Oregon State Police. The response included armored vehicles utilized to protect officers from gunfire and to be available for community evacuations if needed. Officers evacuated several residents due to the risk posed from the suspect firing rounds out of his home into the neighborhood.

Negotiators attempted contact with the man inside the residence who was identified as Michael Groff. The negotiators ultimately were successful in getting him to walk out of his home where he was taken into custody.

Detectives later served a search warrant at 1841 Market St. and recovered multiple items of evidence. Detectives are asking anyone that may have witnessed the incident to contact SPD at (541) 726-3721. Detectives are also seeking historical information regarding the suspect’s behavior, in the months leading up to the incident.

Groff was lodged at the Lane County Jail on the listed charges.

One Officer remains hospitalized and is in stable condition.

The entire department and the injured officers appreciate the outpouring of public support.

CHARGES:
Assault in the 1st Degree,
Assaulting a Public Safety Officer (x2),
Unlawful Use of a Weapon