Police in Eugene say they have been working to minimize acts of retaliation between two groups of individuals connected to the death of a 16-year-old boy in downtown Eugene.
Young men and juveniles described as groups of teenagers or young adults appear to be on either side of the conflict and both sides were armed, according to a Wednesday release from the Eugene Police Department.
The involved individuals are described as teenagers or young adults in their early 20s who are armed.
"We can't provide many details due to the integrity of the investigations," said Melinda McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the department. "We are being vigilant, and these shootings are a high priority for EPD."
Late Saturday night, officers responded to the scene of a homicide in the 300 block of E. 14th Ave.
The crime occurred just before 10:49 p.m., according to a department news release. A juvenile was detained after leaving the area of the scene in a car without its lights on. When police went to stop the vehicle, a pursuit began, and the juvenile was eventually caught in the Kinsrow area.
Early Monday, Eugene Police identified the homicide victim as Fernando Aguirre, 16.
Two shootings have been reported since Aguirre's death, including one in the 1500 block of Mill Street where property was struck. Another shooting occurred Tuesday night in the 3600 block of W. 13th Ave. where a 20-year-old victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to Eugene Police.
As part of the investigation, detectives identified a suspect involved in the shootings as 18-year-old Christopher Lekoff, who was arrested Tuesday night in Springfield and later arraigned in a Lane County Circuit Court Wednesday for one count of attempted assault in the first degree with a firearm and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm.
Investigators say they have not definitively tied the recent shootings to Saturday's homicide.
McLaughlin says detectives are working to identify those involved.
"It is important for the public to be aware of the situation," McLaughlin said.
Anyone with information helpful to the investigation was asked to contact Det. Trevor Hart at Thart@eugene-or.gov. Anyone who noticed suspicious activity was urged to call 911.
Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com.
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