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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 19, 2007 Man in stable condition after shooting incident Neighbors alerted police to altercation By Damian Mann Mail Tribune A 28-year-old Central Point man who tried to flee in a pickup truck as it was riddled with bullets was recovering from a gunshot wound Sunday night. Sheriff's deputies said Thomas Charles Ellis was taken to Rogue Valley Medical Center and was reported in stable condition after surgery. Sheriff's deputies arrested Michael Phillip Magatelli of the 10000 block of Blackwell Road Saturday evening on an assault charge. Ellis was wounded after a verbal dispute Saturday afternoon in the 6000 block of Foley Lane escalated into a shooting that terrified neighbors. "There was a lot of bullets flying and a lot of people yelling and fighting," said Donna Mitchell, a Foley Lane resident. "We were trying to stay away from the windows. We were afraid a bullet might come through because they were shooting right in our driveway." Advertisement Investigators found bullet fragments from both a .40 caliber handgun and a .223 caliber rifle in the truck's tailgate and cab as well as in the back of the seat where the victim was seated. Ellis suffered a gunshot wound from the rifle into his torso, deputies said. Two other people in the truck were not wounded. Mitchell said her husband estimated 20 to 30 shots were fired. Deputies are still searching for a second shooter, who had the handgun. Neighbors called deputies at 3:15 p.m. Sunday to Foley Lane after hearing an altercation. While en route, deputies received another call that gunshots had been fired. A short time later, a call was received requesting medical assistance for Ellis from the 11000 block of Blackwell Road. Because the situation had escalated, the Jackson County Major Assault Team responded along with sheriff's detectives and officers from the Oregon State Police and from Medford, Central Point and Eagle Point. Magatelli was being held on $1 million bail. Investigators discovered that Ellis and his friends had come to the Foley Lane property to retrieve personal property, which led to the altercation. Mitchell said it is not uncommon to hear gunshots on rural road in the area, a situation that disturbs her and other neighbors. "You never know when a stray bullet is going to come through your house and hit you and your animals," she said. This is the latest in a series of burglaries, thefts and arrests for drugs that have plagued this rural lane off Old Stage Road. In September 2005 at the same address on Foley Lane, Michelle Lee Spurlock and Edward Jay Spurlock were arrested on charges of manufacturing and possession of marijuana. At a nearby address unrelated to this incident, Michael Joseph Schlimmer was arrested on charges of first-degree theft, four counts of failure to appear in court and a probation violation. Another neighbor, who asked not to be named because she was fearful of retaliation, said she and her husband installed a gate to prevent people from entering their property. "We see very nefarious characters going up into that place," she said, referring to the Foley Lane residence where the altercation began. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help