Following the arrests of two Junction City men in connection with Wednesday’s shooting death of Eugene resident Casey Jolene Stafek, local police are still investigating a possible motive in the case.
Stafek, 18, was found at approximately 11:30 p.m. Wednesday in a gravel lot on Union Pacific Railroad property off Bethel Drive and taken to Sacred Heart Hospital. She had been shot in the head, and died about two hours later.
Steven Michael Weavill, 18, and Beau Heleman Flynn, 21, were arrested Sunday at approximately 1 p.m. in Vancouver, Wash., as they walked together in an unincorporated part of the city, according to police reports.
Weavill was charged with intentional murder and Flynn was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Law enforcement officers from Eugene, Vancouver and Clark County, Wash., teamed up to make the arrests.
One of the lead Eugene detectives in the case, Jeff Donaca, said at a Monday morning press conference that although both Weavill and Flynn knew Stafek, and were with her at various points the night of the murder, Flynn will not be charged in the homicide. His arrest in Vancouver was based on a parole violation for possessing a weapon.
No Vancouver officials could be reached for more information on Weavill’s and Flynn’s first court appearance and it is uncertain when the men will be released to the custody of Eugene law enforcment.
At Monday’s press conference, Donaca said he divulge very much information about the case because the investigation is still in progress.
He did say that before the slaying Stafek and a few of her friends were hanging out at Stafek’s residence in the Highway 99N area. Stafek left with Weavill and Flynn, Donaca said, and drove to a nearby Taco Bell.
At some point, Flynn left the automobile, and Stafek and Weavill ended up in the Bethel area parking lot where the shooting took place, Donaca said. Another eyewitness told police that Weavill pulled the trigger, Donaca said.
“We still have a lot of investigating to do on the motive,” he said, adding that no more arrests are anticipated in the case.
Donaca said that there might be a connection in this case to a drive-by shooting that occurred about a year ago, but caused no injuries. Donaca said, however, that there is no indication that Stafek’s murder is gang-related.
Flynn is the son of Mary Louise Thompson, who was convicted and served time in prison for arranging the 1994 killing of 18-year-old Aaron Iturra. Iturra was allegedly killed so that his testimony against Flynn could not be heard in a juvenile court case.
EPD Sgt. Ryan said on Monday that investigators are still interviewing witnesses who may have seen Stafek with Weavill before the shooting, and Ryan guessed that about 50 people have been interviewed since Thursday.
Weavill’s and Flynn’s arrests on Sunday came at about the same time Stafek’s family and friends were gathering at Musgrove Family Mortuary in Eugene for visitation and viewing. Police contacted Stafek’s father, Jon, late Sunday evening with news of the arrest.
“Obviously, we’re pretty happy that we have [Weavill and Flynn] in custody,” said Sgt. Pat Ryan of the Eugene Police Department’s violent crimes unit in Monday’s Register-Guard.
But one member of Stafek’s family said the process for closure is far from over.
“It won’t be closed until [those responsible] are convicted,” said Casey Stafek’s grandmother Susie Stafek.
Susie Stafek said she last saw her granddaughter on July 2, and she said that Casey did not indicate any trouble with any of her acquaintances. Casey had graduated in June from the Opportunity Center, a program through South Eugene High School.
“You read about [crimes like this] in the newspaper all the time,” Susie Stafek said. “You just never expect it to happen to your family.”
No other members of the Stafek family wished to comment on Casey’s murder.
Stafek will be buried today at 2 p.m. in a private ceremony. Contributions may be made to the Casey Stafek Memorial Fund, in care of Musgrove Family Mortuary.