Yesterday, around 4 p.m., members of the Eugene Police Department and the Eugene Springfield Fire Department responded to what was initially reported as an "active shooter" at the Lane County Fair. The Eugene Police Department and Eugene Springfield Fire Department have trained extensively in responding to these types of incidents. Subsequent investigation determined this was not an active shooter event (an event characterized by more than one person shot with the shooter’s intent to be mass homicide) but a single shot fired as a result of a disturbance. This was not known to fairgoers at the time and those in attendance ran from the scene potentially causing other injuries that were not the direct result of the shooting.
Eugene Police Department detectives responded and were able to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
An adult male and two juveniles, aged 16 and 14, become involved in a physical altercation. During the altercation the 16-year-old displayed a handgun and threatened the adult male. A citizen, who attempted to intervene, was subsequently assaulted by several friends of the juveniles who were involved in the original physical altercation.
The 16-year-old was subsequently contacted by security. During this contact the 16-year-old discharged the handgun and the bullet struck an uninvolved woman in the arm. The 16-year- old was subsequently detained by security. During this time the 14-year-old disturbed evidence of the shooting and was also detained by security.
The 16-year-old has been charged with Assault in the Second Degree with a Firearm, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. The 14-year-old has been charged with Tampering with Evidence and Disorderly Conduct.
Both juveniles were transported and lodged at Serbu.
This investigation is still ongoing and the Eugene Police Department would like to speak with any members of the community who witnessed this event. Please call 541.682.5111 and refer to case number 21-11264.