Coos Bay shooting: 3 dead after hit-and-run suspect opens fire at Oregon pot shop
COOS BAY, OREGON: The police have launched a manhunt for a suspect who reportedly killed three people in a hit-and-run and shooting. The shooting took in Coos Bay, Oregon on June 18. Initial reports indicated two people had died. A third person was found dead inside a camp trailer; a fourth is in critical condition.
According to District Attorney Paul Frasier, the incident started as a hit and run just before 10 am at the RV Park at the Mill Casino, which left one person dead and a second person injured. The first person found dead was struck by a pickup truck at an RV park. Shortly afterward, police got a call reporting a shooting at Herbal Choices cannabis shop on Sherman Avenue in North Bend, where another person was killed. After the shooting, Frasier said the suspect went to a nearby sporting goods store and bought more ammunition. The suspect remains at large and it is unclear at the moment if there will be any other victims. In a similar incident, two people died and two others were injured in an overnight shooting in North Carolina on June 18. A few days ago, at least 13 people were injured in a shooting in downtown Austin early Saturday, June 12. In another incident, eight people were shot during a mass shooting in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood on the morning of June 15.
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According to reports, a man working near the cannabis shop said he saw the incident at around 10 am and claimed that the person who died was an employee at the store. Police have reason to believe that the two incidents are related and that one suspect is responsible for both deaths. Police went back to the RV park to search a trailer and say they found the body believed to belong to the truck owner.
Police began searching for a white 2019 Dodge 3500 pickup, license plate 243 LWL, which was later found on a highway north of where the killings took place. The truck had crashed and been set on fire, Frasier said. A witness told investigators that the driver appeared to be armed with a handgun at the time of the crash and had run into the woods. Law enforcement agencies were conducting a manhunt in the woods, Frasier said.
Police have not released the identities of the victims and the shooter. Major Crimes Team is helping Oregon State Police in the investigation. Officials have asked anyone who sees the vehicle to call the police immediately and not approach it. Fraiser said in his statement, "If anyone sees the truck, we don’t want them to approach it. Call 9-1-1 immediately.”
About the suspect
Leon County Sheriff's Office shared an update on their Facebook page about the suspected shooter. "The suspect, in this case, is described as a white male adult standing approximately 6’02” and weighing approximately 200lbs. He was further described as having short hair and wearing a dark-colored t-shirt and blue jeans. He is to be considered armed and dangerous. Residents in the area are asked to shelter in place and to immediately report any suspicious activity to authorities," the update read.