Police responded to a shooting Tuesday evening in an alley off Grant Street near 10th Avenue in west Eugene. When officers arrived, they found a wounded man and a second individual who appeared to have overdosed on drugs. Emergency responders administered Narcan, reviving the overdose victim, who is now being questioned about the incident.
Police investigation and community response
Eugene Police Lieutenant Jeremy Williams declined to confirm whether the shooting victim survived. “I can tell you he’s an older male,” Williams said, noting that officers were still securing the scene at about 6:30 p.m., less than an hour after the first 911 calls came in around 5:30 p.m.
Williams said a witness has been detained, but the investigation remains in its early stages with no arrests made. “We are seeking witnesses,” he urged anyone with information to call the department’s non‑emergency line at 541‑682‑5111. He also asked residents who may have captured video of the incident to share it with investigators.
Neighborhood concerns about drug activity
Resident Carson Quam, 36, lives about a half‑block from the alley and described it as a frequent gathering place for illegal drug use. “Last night, the night before, and pretty much like the last several weeks before that, if you walk by on any evening, it’s pretty much guaranteed you’re going to see some form of drug use there,” Quam said.
Quam, who has lived in the area for roughly four years, noted that police have placed a camera nearby in the past, but resources to fully address the problem are lacking. He and other neighbors submitted a report this summer to the Eugene Police Auditor highlighting a perceived lack of police response to ongoing complaints.
“There’s been a little bit of traction since then,” Quam said, adding that the neighborhood has potential, especially with a newly renovated park just a half‑block away. However, families have expressed concerns about safety for children playing in the park.
Calls for increased police resources
Quam hopes the Eugene Police Department will allocate more resources to the area, restore the camera station, and provide additional support to help turn the neighborhood around. “I just hope that EPD gets more resources out here to help turn the neighborhood around, and decides to bring the camera station back and just gives our neighborhood some more support,” he said.
Neighbor Madeleine Kerner, 32, heard at least three loud bangs from inside her home and saw people she knows hurriedly leave the area. “It’s just a shame. All of it,” she lamented.
Police urging community cooperation
Law enforcement officials emphasized the importance of community cooperation in solving the case. “Anyone with information should contact us,” Lt. Williams reiterated, underscoring that public assistance can be crucial in addressing both violent crime and the underlying drug issues that plague the neighborhood.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
