Early Saturday Morning Shooting Leaves One Dead

While Medford Police officers and rescue personnel were responding to a report of shots fired just before 7:00am Saturday morning December 11th, an additional report was received stating that a person was down on the ground.  

Upon arrival, officers found a man laying outside on the ground, suffering from gunshot wounds. Life saving efforts were made, but were not successful, and the person was pronounced deceased. The case was turned over to detectives.  

The investigation revealed that the decedent, a 31 year old male, was outside causing a disturbance after an apparent night of drinking. The decedent did not live in the area, but was visiting an associate who lives nearby, whom he was upset with.  

A California resident, visiting a neighbors house, heard the commotion and confronted the disorderly individual. The conversation deteriorated and the disorderly individual produced a handgun and fired at the person, who had a concealed handgun license and was carrying a handgun. This individual returned fire, ultimately killing the decedent, and remained on scene cooperating with law enforcement. No one else was injured.  

The shooter has not been charged, and the case will be refereed to the District Attorney’s Office.