MADRAS, OR -- The Jefferson County District Attorney has cleared two officers involved in last week’s shooting in Madras.

Investigators say 18-year-old Christopher Sweeney, of Sunriver, walked away from the J Bar J Youth Ranch, November first, six hours after he arrived. He was placed in an independent living program at the ranch after having been paroled from a youth correctional facility for an unrelated matter.

His grandparents were out of the area, but grew concerned he might burglarize their Deschutes County home. A family member checked the property and discovered two vehicles were missing. The two cars were later spotted on Highway 97, near Lava Butte.

One was stopped on the north end of Bend, and 19-year-old Corey Gallagher was arrested. The minivan continued to Madras where it crashed. Sweeney got out of the car and allegedly pointed a gun at officers and fired. A Jefferson County Deputy and State Police Trooper returned fire, hitting the teen. He is recovering at St. Charles Bend. 

The gun allegedly used by Sweeney was recovered at the scene with a damaged bullet casing indicating a malfunction.