Black man on Nov. 23. In response, Keegan claimed he backed up, racked a round, and shot Ellison in the chest because he was in fear for his personal safety, according to the affidavit. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Stay up to date with what you want to know. with a concealed handgun -- went outside to confront Ellison. An Oregon man displaced by one of the states devastating wildfires was charged with killing a man at a motel he was temporarily living in, according to a report. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Only 1.4% of Ashland residents are Black, and 92.5% are white, according to the census. In a statement, he said that his office had no information (at this point) on what (if any) songs were being played by Mr. Ellison, and that he was not yet able to comment on what role race may (or may not) have played in the homicide at this point.. Little information was immediately available about Ellison himself. Keegan who was staying at the Stratford Inn hotel in Ashland with his 3-year-old son after being displaced from their home in September during one of the states wildfires became enraged at Ellison playing loud music in the parking lot at about 4 a.m., Ashland Police Chief Tighe OMeara previously said. The victim had apparently been playing some music loudly in the parking lot and this upset the suspect, which caused the suspect to go down and engage him in an argument, Tighe OMeara, Ashland Police chief said, KTVL reports. His lawyer did not immediately return The Daily Beasts request for comment. life, she said. Unfortunately, there was nothing to be done.. The suspect in the shooting was still on scene and was immediately detained, and later taken into custody.. Is there "good journalism" in the Rogue Valley? Robert Keegan, 47, from the city of Talent, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm and recklessly endangering another. It has been reported in some local media sources that I said this murder was because of something, he said. Benjamin Lull, a deputy Jackson County district attorney, said the killing was still being investigated and declined to discuss it in detail. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. He is being held without bail after pleading not guilty to second-degree murder, manslaughter and other charges. Mr. Dunn pulled a 9-millimeter pistol from his glove compartment and fired it 10 times. Keegan, who also pleaded not guilty to first-degree manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm and recklessly endangering another person, was ordered held without bail ahead of his next court appearance on Feb. 22, prosecutors said. Browse Locations. Keegan didnt have a criminal record, Hoppins stated that in 2012 she got a restraining It was utterly senseless, didnt need to happen, people getting violent with each other for such stupid reasons, OMeara said, NBC reports. And his loved ones . The Ashland Police Department stated the incident began at around 4:20 a.m. on Nov. 23 after Keegan, who was staying at the Ashland hotel with his 3-year-old son after being forced from his home after a wildfire, became enraged with Ellison about the volume of music that was coming from inside his car. Prosecutors said a white man, Michael Dunn, 46, who was parked next to them, asked them to turn down their music and they declined. Keegan is accused of shooting 19-year-old Aidan Ellison in the chest and killing him in the parking lot of the hotel where they were both staying as guests. After an argument, Mr. Keegan, who is white, pulled a gun from his coat and fired a single shot into the victims chest, the police said in a statement. bail hearing next month and that bothers her. Follow Andrew Selsky on Twitter at https://twitter.com/andrewselsky, Candles are lit during a vigil for Aidan Ellison at the Jackson County Justice building in downtown Medford, Ore., Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. A Warner Bros. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much What he did to Aidan thats just the tip of the iceberg. He speaks English and Spanish. The wildfire, which burned in September, decimated the cities of Talent and Phoenix. He pleaded not guilty to charges. said. appreciated. In the Ashland Tidings no report was made on the victim of this crime. Im worried that he will come I hope that one day, they have the strength to face Aidans killer, and to tell their story so that killer understands what he did. And, when I did make a report Keegan; Robert Keegan; Oregon; Ashland; Robert Keegan in Ashland, OR Robert Keegan may also have lived outside of Ashland, such as Jacksonville, Roseburg and 2 other cities in Oregon. Keegan then took a gun out of his coat and fired a single shot into Ellisons chest, police reports say. Keegan was staying at the motel with his son after the Almeda Fire caused them to be displaced from their home in Talent. We've received your submission. Discovery Company. Robert Keegan, 47, fired a single shot into Ellison's chest in a motel parking lot after he reportedly awoke to loud music. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). OMeara said on Facebook that the pair had argued over Ellisons blaring music prior to the deadly shooting, but the post has since been deleted, The Oregonian reported. SALEM, Ore. (AP) The killing of a young Black man last month by a white man who complained that he was playing loud music has roiled Ashland, Oregon, forcing the liberal college town that is famous for its Shakespeare festival to take a hard look at race relations. Oregon has a racist history the state constitution once prohibited Blacks from living in the state. Aidan Ellison should be alive today. When officers arrived, they found Ellison dead with a single gunshot wound to his chest. Were challenging the idea that racism could be everywhere except their police department, she said. According to KTVL, a Medford-based news station, the homicide is the first in Ashland this year. His specialties include Family Medicine. in a parking lot outside a convenience store in Jacksonville. On Nov. 23, Robert Keegan fired a single shot into Ellison's chest after complaining about the music late at night in a motel parking lot. Hoppins said she grieves over Around 4:20 a.m. during their argument, Keegan pulled a gun from his coat and fired a single shot, striking Ellison in the chest, police said. Precious Edmonds, a spokesperson for the Southern Oregon Black Leaders, Activists and Community Coalition (SOBLACC), said the organization has not been in touch with Ellisons family, but the organization has planned a meeting for Dec. 7, inviting Black people living in Southern Oregon to come together and discuss priorities for their community. Keegan is also charged with unlawful possession of a weaponfor concealing a firearm without a concealed carry permit as well as reckless endangering, a charge related to another person who was present during the shooting, according to KTVL. Hed force his way into my home But thats the narrative, thats the frame of white supremacy.. At around 4:20 a.m. Monday, Robert Keegan, 47, Talent, allegedly shot and killed a young Black man named Aidan Ellison, 19, Ashland. Consequently the state has a disproportionately low Black population compared with much of the rest of the United States. If you search him on https://webportal.courts.oregon.gov/portal/You can see the court mandated classes for domestic violence and the no contact order. Authorities say Robert Keegan pulled a gun out of his coat and shot Aidan Ellison during an argument over the 19-year-olds loud music. The motel where the shooting happened is the Stratford Inn, recalling Shakespeares birthplace of Stratford-Upon-Avon. Actions speak louder than words. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. To be clear, Aidan was murdered because he was a young black person who made a white man uncomfortable and refused to submit to that mans personally-perceived authority not because he was listening to music too loudly, the Southern Oregon Black Leaders, Activists and Community Coalition (SOBLACC) said in a statement. According to Oregon Live, Police Chief O'Meara responded to the criticism in a statement on Thursday: "It has been reported in some local media sources that I said this murder was 'because of' something. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The killing of Mr. Ellison recalled a similar shooting in Florida exactly eight years earlier. Keegan has. Some of them threatened her reports stated Keegan was from Talent, Hoppins said her exs last known address Five people were shot early Thanksgiving morning in Henderson, Nevada, and two suspects are now in custody. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. to music. (Andy Atkinson/The Medford Mail Tribune via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Please! 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. He told officials that Ellison punched him in the face during their encounter, which he said prompted him to pull a gun out of his coat and open fire. She hopes Ellisons loved ones Mr. Davis was hit three times and died in the car. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Im in another part of the was on the 300 block of Kent Street in Ashland. Yes, Im scared as Keegan, who was staying at the motel with his young son, got angry at Ellison for playing loud music in the parking around 4 a.m., according to Ashland Police Chief Tighe OMeara. Not only of Keegan but his goddamned family. KTVL 10 reports that 47-year-old Robert Keegan was still on the scene when police arrived after he allegedly shot 19-year-old Aidan Ellison outside of the Stratford Inn. Which of the TV stations have "good journalists"? Its not a coincidence that a white man, according to police, chose to take the life of a young Black man for the offense of playing his music. In 2014, a jury rejected Mr. Dunns self-defense claim and convicted him of first-degree murder. would do that, they said. of them. Hes after being forced from his home after a wildfire, According to the affidavit first obtained by. The suspect confronted Ellison and allegedly fatally shot him, authorities said. Sara Jones, Ellisons roommate, told ABC 12 that Aidan had the kindest kind of soul and that he was a good kid. Update: Talent man pleads not guilty in killing of Black teenager in Ashland hotel parking lot. Hes dead and my ex is responsible still good at it.. He was just getting started on his lifelong journey when he was taken from us, Ellisons family said in a statement released by his mother, Andrea Wofford. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. An Oregon man was accused of murdering a Black teenager after an argument of a 19-year-old boy playing loud music in a hotel parking lot days before Thanksgiving. shocked by Robert Paul Bob Keegans arrest after he allegedly shot a young Keegan, who was still at the scene, was arrested and taken to Jackson County Jail, officials said. Find Robert Keegan's phone number, address, and email on Spokeo, the leading people search directory for contact information and public records. At his trial, Mr. Dunn testified that he fired only after Mr. Davis pointed a shotgun at him. The death of Aidan Ellison, 19, added another name to the list of Black men and women whose killings have sparked a nationwide reckoning with racism and fueled a surge in a Black Lives Matter movement. Keegan is facing four criminal counts, including second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, reckless endangering and unlawful possession of a weapon. Ashland Police Dept. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. as well as other partner offers and accept our. See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover Robert's . Robert has 1 job listed on their profile. The teens slaying is the only homicide in Ashland this year, SOBLACC officials said. At that point, Chief Tighe, along with others in the valley, said they dont see racism in their departments, she said. It happened because the suspect chose to bring a gun with him and chose to use it, 100% on him, not the poor young man that was murdered., He also told CNN the shooting was utterly senseless., Didnt need to happen, he said. The blame for the incident is entirely on Robert Keegan, he is 100% responsible for it, OMeara said. Edmonds said the killing itself, as well as the way it was framed by police and local media, is an example of the areas culture of white supremacy. An Oregon man displaced by one of the state's devastating wildfires was charged with killing a man at a motel he was temporarily living in, according to a report. Black activists in Ashland say the killing has exposed the towns undercurrent of racism. Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR. MEDFORD, Ore. -- Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite are spinning in their graves. He is being held without bail after pleading not guilty to second-degree murder, manslaughter and other charges.- ADVERTISEMENT -https://s.yimg.com/rq/darla/4-6-/html/r-sf-flx.html The murder of Aidan Ellison is another example of Southern Oregons racist history with and current practice of white supremacy, wrote Southern Oregon Black Leaders, Activists and Community Coalition in a statement. Robert Paul Keegan, 47, shot Aidan Ellison on Monday at the Stratford Inn in Ashland after the pair got into an argument over Ellison playing loud music, Ashland Police Chief Tighe OMeara told CNN. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, Catalina Gaitn | The Oregonian/OregonLive, murder charge stemming from the shooting death of a Black teenager. at the time of the shooting. Robert Paul Keegan, 47, of Talent, entered the plea Friday to charges including second-degree murder in the fatal Nov. 23 shooting of 19-year-old Aidan Ellison, according to the Jackson County. She added that the organization was frustrated with many people, including police and local news organizations, for their attempts to absolve Keegan while vilifying Ellison. On Nov. 23, Robert Keegan fired a single shot into Ellison's chest after complaining about the music late at night in a motel parking lot. Facts. In October, Edmonds said her organization held a police forum to discuss the matter further, and allow the officers to hear from Black residents. doubled down on her efforts to get custody of her son. Robert Keegan, 47, is. He has 22 years of experience. It doesnt change a thing, how good the man who shot him was. Enough is enough. and told them about her past with Keegan. Everyday I was with him, I felt You have a murder committed in your town and nowhere can you find information from "journalists". Gun control advocacy group Oregon Moms Demand Action released a statement Saturday highlighting a 2020 statistic showing Black Oregonians are dying of gun homicide at five times the rate of white Oregonians. Pretty easy to find so why didnt the local news report it? Robert Paul Keegan, 47, shot Aidan Ellison on Monday at the Stratford Inn in Ashland after the pair got into an argument over Ellison playing loud music, Ashland Police Chief Tighe O'Meara. somewhere safe from them.. According to the news release, Keegan pulled a gun from his coat and shot Ellison once in the chest. Sunmoon Oh. didn't have a concealed weapon permit) and recklessly endangering another even worse, was how abusive he was to my son. Robert Keegan, 47, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, reckless endangering, and unlawful weapons possession in connection with the death of 19-year-old Aidan Ellison, the Ashland Police Department said in a news release. He and Ellison were both staying at the motel but apparently did not know each other before that night. and take my phone and car keys, she said. More Stories: - Prison guard says he was fired for Black Lives Matter shirt Robert Keegan in Oregon. Ellison was found with a gunshot wound to his chest. To be clear, Aidan was murdered because he was a young black person who made a white man uncomfortable and refused to submit to that mans personally perceived authoritynot because he was listening to music too loudly, the Southern Oregon Black Leaders, Activists and Community Coalition said in a statement. The only thing that caused this murder was the suspects actions, 100%. person. An argument In keeping with the Shakespeare theme, many of the communitys buildings have Tudor-style architecture. On Nov. 23, Robert Keegan fired a single shot into Ellisons chest after complaining about the music late at night in a motel parking lot. He is being held without bail after pleading not guilty to. The FBI is working with the Ashland Police Department to assess whether federal laws may have been violated, the police department announced Thursday. All Rights Reserved. I have scars all over my body that are visible damage from Robert Paul Keegan's sadistic abuse of me. issued a statement seeking to clarify remarks. Authorities say Keegan, who is white, fatally shot Ellison in the chest during an argument over the teens loud music from inside his car in the parking lot. A man who fatally shot a Black teenager at an Oregon hotel during a fight over loud music claims the killing was in self-defensebut the young mans autopsy tells a different story, according to newly released court documents. Robert Paul Keegan, 47, pleaded not guilty Friday to several charges, including second-degree murder, for the Nov. 23 shooting death of 19-year-old Aidan Ellison at the Stratford Inn hotel, the Jackson County District Attorneys Office said. Robert Paul Keegan, 47, pleaded not guilty Friday to several charges, including second-degree murder, for the Nov. 23 shooting death of 19-year-old Aidan Ellison at the Stratford Inn hotel, the. Telephone and email messages sent to Mr. Keegans relatives were not returned. ASHLAND, Ore. An Oregon man has been arrested and charged in the fatal shooting of a Black 19-year-old following what authorities described as a dispute over loud music. View Robert Kegan's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Robert Paul Keegan, 47, shot Aidan Ellison on Monday at the Stratford Inn in Ashland after the pair got into an argument over Ellison playing loud music, Ashland Police Chief Tighe O'Meara. All rights reserved (About Us). But, but all means, go on and play a good ally to the BIPOC community when it suits your ego.