Eugene police cited two University students last week for shooting and killing an animal at an apartment complex near Autzen Stadium, according to Eugene police.
Police cited University students Ryan Bauer, 20, and Taggart Schoenrock, 20, for unlawful use of a weapon and reckless endangerment.
Both declined to comment.
Eugene police responded around 10:40 p.m. last Thursday to Duck’s Village apartment complex, 3225 Kinsrow Ave., after they received reports of residents shooting a rifle toward a creek.
Upon arrival, officers discovered residents were trying to conceal a weapon in bushes, police said.
Bauer and Schoenrock, who had been drinking alcohol, were shooting wine bottles for target practice toward a creek that runs adjacent to the complex, police said. The University Commons apartment complex sits behind the creek. The students shot and killed a raccoon with a .22-caliber rifle.
Eugene police spokeswoman Melinda Kletzok said apartment complex security is often the first to respond to incidents, and Eugene police officers respond if security needs more help.
“Many apartment complexes have on-site security, and they are usually the ones that take care of developing problems,” Kletzok said. “When it’s beyond their control, they proactively call the police.”
Dan Beebe, manager of Duck’s Village, said security guards patrol the grounds on foot each night and are typically the first ones to respond to an incident. The complex prefers not to say how many guards are patrolling at night.
“In a situation like this, 911 is the appropriate action,” he said.
The Duck’s Village lease requires residents to agree not to possess firearms at the complex, Beebe said. Bauer and Schoenrock will be evicted.
On campus, students living in University residence halls are required to sign a contract stipulating they will not bring firearms on campus. The restriction, which applies to all students, includes real weapons, air soft guns, BB guns, ammunition, explosives and dangerous chemicals, according to the University Student Conduct Code.
Police recovered a handgun and other weapons in the Living Learning Center South residence hall rooms of two University freshmen last month.
Kletzok said it’s illegal to shoot a firearm within city limits unless it can be proved the weapon was used for self-defense. Police officers, hunters with proper permits, and firing range customers are allowed to use firearms within the city.
Beebe, who has worked at Duck’s Village for three years, said incidents such as last week’s are rare.
“Normally, we get one or two police reports a month, usually for noise,” he said.
Beebe said the case involved students who did something they knew they shouldn’t have.
“They now know they weren’t thinking and are both apologetic,” Beebe said. “I think they know they did something wrong and are just disappointed in themselves.”
University senior Dustin Knowlton, who was not home at the time, said he feels safe despite the incident because it involved an animal.
Knowlton, who moved to Duck’s Village from University Commons, said management usually reacts quickly to security incidents.
“They usually know about everything that’s going on without even being told,” Knowlton said.
Contact the crime, health and safety reporter at [email protected]
Two UO students cited for firing guns near apartments
Daily Emerald
May 22, 2007
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