A manhunt continues after three people have been reported deceased and another critically injured in North Bend, Friday, according to the Coos County District Attorney.
In a Friday afternoon press conference the District Attorney revealed a series of events that led to two people being shot and killed, and two people being struck by a pick-up truck operated by the alleged suspect, killing one and leaving the other in critical condition.
According to reports the series of events began at about 10:00am Friday morning when two people were struck by a pickup truck at an RV park at the Mill Casino, killing one and leaving the other in critical condition. Moments later the Police received reports of gunshots at Herbal Choices cannabis shop in North Bend where one person, reportedly an employee at the cannabis shop, was killed. After the shooting at the cannabis shop, the Coos County District Attorney said the suspect went to a nearby Big 5 sporting goods store and bought more ammunition.
As the investigation at the Mill Casino RV Park, where the reported hit and run took place progressed, Police obtained license plate information of the vehicle involved in the incident and determined that the white 2019 Dodge 3500 pickup was owned by an older man who was located at a trailer in the RV Park at The Mill. Officers then located the trailer, and the body of the person believed to be the owner of both the truck and the trailer was found deceased inside. The Coos County District Attorney did not disclose how the person in the trailer died, however, he did state that “there is no question in my mind this person died of homicidal violence.”
Authorities obtained several images from video surveillance of the man believed to be the suspect taken at the sporting goods and cannabis stores showing the alleged suspect buying ammo at Big Five after the hit and run and shooting at the dispensary.
The photos were immediately released and agencies began searching for a suspect described as approximately six-foot-two, 200 pounds, with short or buzzed hair wearing a light-colored t-shirt, blue jeans possibly still driving a white 2019 Dodge 3500 pickup.
Latest reports as of early Saturday morning state that shortly after 12:00pm Friday afternoon, the Oregon State Police and Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a vehicle crash on Hwy. 126 between Florence and Eugene. The driver of the involved vehicle, a white Dodge pick-up believed to be linked to the homicides that occurred in the North Bend area earlier in the day, was no longer on the scene when authorities arrived and witness told investigators the person driving the truck at the time of the crash ran into the woods and appeared to be armed with a handgun.
As of this report, none of the people killed in Friday’s incidents has been identified, and it was unclear what, if any, connection they had to the suspect.
At 5:20pm Friday evening, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office reported that Hwy. 126 near Noti had been reopened, however, the suspect had possibly already fled the area and had not been found. Many officers remained in the area searching the woods near an unincorporated Lane County community for a man they believe is responsible for killing three people Friday morning.
The suspect is to be considered armed and dangerous and if you see the suspect, call 911 immediately and do not approach the suspect. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is asking that anyone who saw the involved vehicle during or following the crash, or anyone matching the suspect description, to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150 Option No. 1. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is additionally hoping to contact the driver of a small white sedan that may have stopped at the crash scene.
