Eugene police investigating homicide
EUGENE, Ore. – Eugene Police are investigating the first homicide of the year. Police said it happened early Saturday morning near the railroad tracks in the Bethel neighborhood.
Police were called to a report of a homicide next to the railroad tracks at West 2nd Avenue and Cleveland Street just before 5 a.m.
A railroad worker reported finding one of his co-workers dead of a gunshot wound. Spokesperson Melinda Kletzok said the victim was found outside of the train he was working on. Police spent about seven hours on-scene, scouring the areas for clues and carrying away evidence.
Railroad employees stood close by. The employees did not want to go on camera. The 44-year-old victim worked for Salem-based Portland & Western Railroad. KVAL News called the company and left a message. We have not heard back.
According to the company's Web site, Portland & Western operates 520 miles of tracks from Eugene to Astoria.
Police are not releasing the victim's name, saying they are still trying to contact his family. The spokesperson said they have no suspects and the case is "wide open." She asks any information with information call (541) 682-8888.
This is Eugene's first homicide of 2010. Kletzok said the city usually sees about two homicides a year. In contrast, Portland saw its first murder Jan. 15.
However, last year was a different story for Eugene. There were at least seven homicides reported throughout the year. Four of those where from one drunk-driving car crash. The other three victims were homeless men.
