2 dead in Medford shooting; police release few details

Published 1:45 pm Monday, December 4, 2023

The investigation into a Sunday shooting at Charles Point Apartments in south Medford that ultimately left two people dead remains “extremely fluid” as authorities try to piece together what happened, a Medford Police Department spokesperson said Monday.

Police responded at 5:40 a.m. Sunday to a report of a disturbance and shots fired, and two gunshot victims were found in a parking lot along Highgate Street that runs through the apartment complex, which includes hundreds of one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Both were taken to a local hospital, where one person died Sunday morning. Police said late Sunday in a news release that the second person had died.

Medford Police Lt. Geoff Kirkpatrick on Monday declined to offer new details beyond the latest news release posted shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday.

Kirkpatrick would not discuss the circumstances surrounding the shooting or whether any suspects remain at large.

“I cannot comment on that right now,” Kirkpatrick said. “I suspect the investigation, as it continues, will allow me to release more information this afternoon (Monday).”

Kirkpatrick commented on the speculation surrounding the case, which he believes is a result of the fact that police have yet to release more details.

“We don’t put out that detailed information because the sanctity of the case depends on us not releasing certain things,” Kirkpatrick said.

He called the case “extremely sad.”

“Our hearts go out to the friends and family of those affected by this tragic case,” Kirkpatrick said. “We hope we can provide closure and answers to everybody involved.”

Detectives have interviewed people at the apartment complex and are “following up on all available leads,” the release said Sunday night.

Medford police used the second news release to confirm the homicide at the apartment complex is not related to the shooting incident that occurred on Friday at near a restaurant.

In that case, Medford Police reported Saturday morning that an officer on routine patrol heard multiple gunshots at 11:25 p.m. Friday in the vicinity of the restaurant in the 1700 block of Delta Waters Road. A victim was listed in critical condition and had undergone surgery at a local hospital, according to police.

Eighteen-year-old Joseph Larry Lopez of Grants Pass has been charged with attempted murder, unlawful use of a weapon and first-degree assault. Lopez does not currently have an attorney and had not entered a plea to the charges as of Monday, according to court records.

Police believe the confrontation between two groups of people caused the shooting in front of the restaurant, according to an updated statement from Medford Police.

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