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Murder Suspect Barricaded In Gorman - UPDATED

khts_breakingnewsCanine bite, not gunshot, caused chest wound.

UPDATED 10:17 a.m. Friday

A murder suspect who held off police after his car was discovered in the parking lot of the Econolodge Motel on Gorman Post Road was found unconscious with a puncture wound to the chest that was initially reported as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

An emergency room doctor determined that the wound was caused by a canine bite, not a bullet, although a gun was recovered from the room, as well as two dogs they believe belonged to the suspect.



Around 7 a.m. Thursday, a California Highway Patrol officer ran the license plate of a vehicle parked at the Econolodge Motel in Gorman. Upon running the plate, the officer was informed that the vehicle's owner, Franklin Grammar, 53, had an outstanding murder warrant from Kansas City, Kansas.

After confirming with motel staff that Grammar was listed in the registry and had rented that room, Sheriff's deputies from the Santa Clarita Valley station responded as backup to the motel, located in the 49700 Block of Gorman Post Road, about 30 minutes north of Santa Clarita.

Deputy Rick Pedroza of Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau confirmed that the suspect was identified as Grammar, who suspected of shooting and killing his estranged wife, Betty, on Monday as she worked with a house-painting crew in Fairway, Kansas.

Grammar barricaded himself in the motel room, holding off law enforcement throughout the day. Shortly after 3 p.m., the sheriff's K-9 unit was sent in to get the suspect, but when there was no response, the Special Weapons team entered the room, ending a nine-hour standoff.

Grammar was found in the room with a wound on his upper torso that was initially reported to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Two other dogs, assumed to be Grammar's pets, were also found in the room, along with a gun. The suspect was airlifted to Providence Holy Cross Hospital, where doctors determined that the wound was not caused by a bullet, but was a minor wound from a dog bite. Grammar was unconscious due to possibly ingesting a controlled substance. He remains comatose and in fair condition.