From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

---

For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Date: November 22, 2006, 2006

Contact:	Sergeant Ralph Turre 541-265-4277 x4951 rturre@co.lincoln.or.us
Incident:	Attempted Murder
Date Occurred:	November 21, 2006
Time Occurred:	Approximately 1:54 PM
Location:	515 Wright Creek Road, Toledo, Oregon

Summary:

At about 1:54 pm, 21 November 2006, members of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and Toledo Police Department responded to the area of South Bay Road, Toledo, on a report of a shooting. While enroute to the location, officers were advised the suspect, identified as Jeffrey Alan Watson, a 40 year old Toledo resident, was walking on Wright Creek Road. Officers were able to take Watson into custody without incident.

Investigation by the Lincoln County Sheriff's detectives, assisted by Toledo Police Department and the Lincoln County District Attorney's Office, revealed that Watson shot Gary Edwin Coxen, a 53 year old neighbor of Watson, two times in the head with a small caliber rifle in Watson's residence. Coxen was able to flee from Watson's residence and drove to a neighbor's home to call the police. Watson was transported by ambulance to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital where he was treated for two gunshot wounds to the head and was later transferred to Emanuel Hospital in Portland.

Watson was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on charges of Attempted Murder, Assault I, Unlawful Use of a Firearm, Pointing a Firearm at Another, and Menacing. Bail was set at $240,000.00. Investigation continues by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

Jeffrey Watson
[Click image for larger view]

Return to News Releases.