By DOUG BATES/Editor/The Herald — A flurry of gunfire awoke residents throughout a wide swath of central Oakridge early Wednesday, June 2, in a bizarre shooting case that left at least one man wounded and police agencies searching for an unknown number of suspects.
All of Maple Street between East First and Commercial streets was closed by yellow crime scene tape for hours Wednesday as investigators from the Oakridge Police Department worked the scene with assistance from the Oregon State Police and Lane County Sheriff’s Office. The intersection of Maple and Commercial was littered with yellow evidence markers stretching all the way up Maple to the front porch of a residence at 76448 Maple.
A detective at the scene told The Herald that the compact house, surrounded Wednesday afternoon by late-model vehicles, was central to the investigation. Longtime Oakridge residents would recognize the house as the former residence of a legendary Oakridge teacher, Fredericka Renner, who died in 1989.
Oakridge Police Chief Kevin Martin said in a news release that Lane County sheriff’s dispatch received a 911 call at 4:21 a.m. Wednesday reporting that a 31-year-old male had been shot and taken to the Oakridge Fire Department.
The Oakridge Fire Department’s ambulance service then transported the victim to a hospital, Martin said.
“The victim subject and unknown suspect(s) had all left the scene before officers arrived,” his news release said. No identities have been released so far.
“We ask that any witnesses or anyone with information specific to the investigation (to include residential/commercial video surveillance) please contact the Oakridge Police Department at 541-782-4232,” Martin said.
Oakridge residents from as far away as the Ray’s Food Place neighborhood reported hearing the burst of gunfire. The Herald will update this story as further details are released by investigators.
📣 Support Your Local News Publication: Donate to Highway 58 Herald! 📣
The Highway 58 Herald is your trusted source for all things local, from community events to breaking news. But we need your help to keep delivering the stories that matter most to you. Your generous donation ensures we can continue providing in-depth reporting and vibrant coverage of our community.
Every dollar helps us maintain high-quality journalism and keep you informed. Please consider making a donation today and support the voice of our community. Donate today!
Thank you for helping us keep Highway 58 Herald strong and vibrant!