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53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, May 9, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend April 2, 2004 Drive-by shooting investigated By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune Several men fired six shots at three teenage girls walking near the intersection of Palm Street and Rose Avenue Wednesday night, Medford police said. No one was injured, but it shook up the neighborhood, residents said. Police are looking for a white, 1999 Lincoln Town Car with Oregon license plate ZVE 211 in connection with the shooting, Lt. Mike Moran said. Police went to the west Medford neighborhood after numerous people reported hearing shots fired about 9 p.m. Wednesday. "All of a sudden, it was like ‘bam, bam, bam, bam’, and then I heard them screaming" said Judith Mickelson, who has lived in the 700 block of Palm Street for a year. Advertisement She was in kitchen of her home when the shots startled her. She said two kids were outside the house around the corner on Rose Avenue, and they screamed when bullets flew. "We get lots of shots-fired calls, but this was actually shots fired at people," Moran said. Three girls, all aged 15 to 16, were walking near the intersection of Palm and Rose when the group of three or four black men fired toward them, Moran said. Six shots were fired from a 9 mm handgun, he said. One bullet hit a tree; another hit a home on the southwest corner of Palm and Rose and a third hit the gas meter at that home. Investigators haven’t accounted for the other three bullets yet. Medford fire department and Avista utility crews checked the area for gas leaks. At least one of the girls had an idea about who was shooting, Moran said. The girls and the young men had a dispute, although police didn’t know what the conflict was about, Moran said. The men were last seen fleeing west on Palm Street toward Columbus Avenue in the white Lincoln, police said. The Lincoln’s registered owner lives in the 600 block of West Second Street, Moran said. Police visited that home Thursday morning about 10 a.m., but the people inside refused to come out when officers knocked. Police surrounded the area and ordered the people out over a public address system, Moran said. Three men and one woman emerged and investigators interviewed them. Moran said police developed some "really solid leads," but had additional interviews to conduct as they continue to sort out what happened. The shooters likely will face first-degree assault charges, he said. "It’s definitely a shock to have it happen across the street from you," Emily Baldwin said of the shots and sirens that shook her evening Wednesday. "There are small children in the area. That’s what makes it really scary." She has lived in the neighborhood less than a year and said it’s generally "pretty quiet." Leady Tyler, block captain of the Neighborhood Watch program on Palm Street, said neighbors have taken an active stance to keep the area safe. They watch out for kids walking to school and stay aware of drug users and sex offenders that have been found in the area, she said. "That’s why this was such a surprise," Tyler said. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune reporter Jack Moran contributed to this story. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times