A late-night disturbance call in Grants Pass escalated into a serious violent crime investigation this Wednesday night, culminating in the arrest of a local woman on felony charges, according to authorities.
At approximately 8:30 p.m. on January 21, 2026, officers with the Grants Pass Police Department responded to a 911 call from a residence in the 1000 block of Northeast A Street. Dispatchers reported hearing a disturbance in the background while the caller was still on the line, prompting an immediate patrol response.
When officers arrived, they discovered a 39-year-old male resident suffering from stab wounds to his upper body. Emergency medical personnel from Grants Pass Fire/Rescue and American Medical Response were dispatched to the scene to provide life-saving care. The victim was stabilized and transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for further treatment. Authorities said the man sustained significant injuries but is expected to recover.
Due to the severity of the incident, the Grants Pass Major Crimes Unit assumed responsibility for the investigation at approximately 9:00 p.m. Detectives worked through the night and into the early morning hours, continuing their investigation until after 5:00 a.m. in an effort to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and reconstruct the events that led to the stabbing.
“As a result of their work,” police reported, Heidi Smith, a 42-year-old woman, was taken into custody in connection with the incident. Smith was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Assault in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Court records and police statements did not immediately clarify the relationship between Smith and the victim or the circumstances that preceded the violence.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains active and that additional details are limited at this stage. Further inquiries related to the case have been directed to the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, which will review the case for potential prosecution. The Grants Pass Police Department stated it would not be releasing further information about the victim at this time.
The incident has drawn attention within the community, particularly among residents of the Northeast A Street neighborhood, where police activity continued for several hours Wednesday night. While officials have not indicated whether the stabbing was a domestic incident or involved other contributing factors, they stressed that there is no ongoing threat to the general public related to this case.
Law enforcement officials reiterated the importance of promptly reporting disturbances and emergencies, noting that early intervention can be critical in preventing further harm. The department also acknowledged the coordinated response between patrol officers, emergency medical services, and investigators, describing it as essential to ensuring both victim care and a thorough investigation.
As the case moves forward, additional information is expected to be released through court proceedings. For now, authorities are asking anyone with direct knowledge of the incident to cooperate with investigators and allow the legal process to proceed.