Teen in Oregon Jail Charged With Father's Murder in Idaho

The suspect is currently being held in the Lane County Juvenile Detention Facility.

Salem-News.com

(EUGENE, Ore. ) - Boise Police have served an arrest warrant on a 17-year-old currently in custody in Oregon for the murder of his father.

Boise Police detectives believe Derek W. Lewis killed his father at the father's Northwest Boise home likely sometime Saturday evening.

Boise Police were called to a home on the 7900 block of Prince St., Monday, March 10th for a man who was found deceased by a co-worker. The victim lived alone. Investigators have learned that the teen suspect also, from time to time, lived with the victim.

An autopsy by the Ada County Coroner confirmed the 45 year old man died of a gunshot wound to the head. The shot had been fired from a very small caliber firearm. The victim's name will be released by the Ada County Coroner's Office.

The victims teenage son was reported as a runaway Monday afternoon. Officers had information the teen was driving his father's pick up truck and was believed to be in western Oregon. Boise Police sent word to police agencies in Lane and Douglas Counties to attempt to locate the truck and the teen for questioning. Oregon State Police located the truck last Monday night.

The teen was taken into custody after a vehicle and foot pursuit that ended in Florence, Oregon.

Officers have one weapon in custody, found in possession of the suspect in Oregon. However officials are still collecting evidence in this crime. At this time they are unsure if the weapon in custody is the murder weapon.

Boise Police continue to investigate this crime in Boise, and Boise detectives have also traveled to Oregon.

Boise Police would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the efforts of law enforcement agencies in both Lane and Douglas Counties, and particularly to Oregon State Police who have assisted greatly with this investigation since shortly after it began.

The suspect is currently being held in the Lane County Juvenile Detention Facility.

Source: Boise Police Department