UPDATE:
Investigators say there are at least two suspects involved in this case: one suspect they believe shot the victim out of passenger side window, and the other suspect they believe was driving. Detectives also believe the suspects and the victim knew each other based on what witnesses have told them. They are still investigating whether or not this drive-by shooting was gang-related.
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Either way, the Medford Police Department said gang-related shootings in the city are rare.
"There's obviously a gang presence in Medford. We'll see stuff pick up and it goes through phases, it seems. Several years ago, we had quite a few more shootings. The last couple of years the numbers have been down but we'll also see a lot of gang graffitti, that kind of stuff that pops around the city," said patrol officer RJ Josephson. He's been with MPD for nearly 20 years. For two years he was on the MADGE team (Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement).
Lt. Mike Budreau told NewsWatch 12 in both 2014 and 2015, there were four gang-related shootings, eight total. There weren't any in 2016. Both 2017 and 2018 saw one, two total. 2019 has seen one gang-related shooting so far.
"It's been relatively calm. I would say since 2016 on," said Lt. Budreau. "We're not seeing a lot of fights. We're not seeing a lot of graffitti. We're not seeing a lot of stuff that leads up to events like what we saw [Tuesday] night."
Investigators are worried if this drive-by shooting turns out to be gang-related that there might be some retaliation.
"We don't want to see this group on the victim's side perhaps retaliate against who they think the suspect or suspects to be. We find that the sooner we make an arrest these problems really will go away," Lt. Budreau added.
This drive-by shooting is still under investigation. If anyone has any information regarding the shooting, Medford Police ask that you give them a call at 541-770-4783.
MEDFORD, Ore. -- Medford Police say a man was seriously injured in a drive-by shooting in the 1700 block of Crater Lake Avenue late on Tuesday night.
According to the agency, a nearby officer arrived on the scene within a minute, finding the victim bleeding "profusely" from a gunshot wound. The officer, who is EMT certified, treated the victim — using "Quikclot" combat gauze in an attempt to slow the bleeding.
The 32-year-old victim was taken to Providence Hospital and is listed as critical, but stable condition.
The initial investigation indicates that the victim had been standing in the carport of his home when a vehicle drove by on Crater Lake Avenue. Someone inside the vehicle then opened fire — shooting off four or five rounds, according to witness statements from the area.
Right now, the suspect vehicle is only described as an "older grey sedan."
Detectives are asking for anyone that has video surveillance in the area to check their cameras. They are considering the fact this could be gang related, but the case remains under investigation.
