Three Oregon Teens Wanted In Connection With The Murder Of Justin Lee Gardner

Three teens from Eugene, Oregon, are wanted as “persons of interest” in connection with the murder of 17-year-old Justin Lee Gardner. The Eugene Police Department says that Gardner was killed at an apartment complex during some sort of “gathering” and that police need to speak with 19-year-old Sean Edward Jones, 18-year-old Zachary Aristotle Beauchamp, and 18-year-old Mariah Morphew. However, the three teens are now missing.

The Daily Mail reports that 17-year-old Justin Lee Gardner was shot and killed at an apartment complex near the University of Oregon’s football stadium in Eugene. The teen was reportedly attending some sort of “gathering” at the time of his murder; however, police are not certain at this time how many people were in the apartment when the shooting took place. The police have released few details on exactly how Gardner died other than from a gunshot wound. The police say they cannot release information on how many shots were fired, the type of weapon used, or the location or locations that Gardner was hit as the investigation is ongoing.

The police have declared three other teens as “persons of interest” in the case and are asking the public for help in locating the teens who have gone missing since the murder.

The Eugene Police Department says the do not know a motive for the murder at this time; therefore, they can’t speak to whether or not the suspect poses a danger to the community at large. However, the police department is urging citizens to contact the police department with any information on the shooting or the whereabouts of the three “persons of interest.

The Register Guard notes that the shooter is still at large and that police are still investigating possible leads related to the case. According to reports, it does not appear that Gardner or any of the three “persons of interest” lived in the apartment unit where the shooting took place.

A witness who lives in the apartment complex noted that he heard two gunshots and smelled smoke around midnight on the night of the shooting. However, he said he originally thought the shots were fireworks and did not call police.

Those with information should contact Detective Mel Thompson at 541-682-5187 and/or Detective Ben Hall at 541-682-5835.

[Image Credit: Facebook]