Death Investigation Following Shooting in Josephine County

An investigation by members of the Josephine County Major Crimes Team, led by Oregon State Police (OSP) Criminal Investigations Division, is continuing following a Saturday afternoon shooting near Kerby.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - An investigation by members of the Josephine County Major Crimes Team, led by Oregon State Police (OSP) Criminal Investigations Division, is continuing following a Saturday afternoon shooting near Kerby. The shooting resulted in the death of an adult male after he was taken to a Grants Pass hospital. No arrests have been made as the investigation continues with the involvement of the Josephine County District Attorney's Office.

On September 7, 2013 at approximately 5:00 p.m., OSP troopers and local emergency responders received a report of a shooting involving two neighboring property residents in the 23000 address block of Redwood Highway (Highway 199) in Kerby. One of the involved persons identified as Leron Justin Estes, age 59, was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center with a gunshot wound. He died after arriving at the hospital.

The Josephine County Major Crimes Team, comprised of detectives from OSP Criminal Investigations Division detectives and Grants Pass Police Department, were activated to investigate.

The preliminary investigation indicates Estes and a neighboring property resident, Donald Easley, age 64, were involved in an ongoing dispute. Easley fired at least one shot from a handgun at Estes causing his death.

No arrest has been made at this time. No other information will be released pending the ongoing investigation without the approval of the Josephine County District Attorney's Office.

News Release from: Oregon State Police