to music. I understand that there are legitimate tensions surrounding matters of violence against people of color in the US, and this situation speaks directly to that, OMeara said. Ms. Hopkins, as an alleged victim of spousal abuse, deserves a voice -- as does Aidan Ellison. 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. Its not about white peoples comfort. The shot, which was fired at around 4:33 a.m. from a 9mm handgun, hit Ellisons heart and lungs, according to the autopsy report. Mr. Dunn pulled a 9-millimeter pistol from his glove compartment and fired it 10 times. On Nov. 23, 2012, Jordan Davis, 17, was shot and killed as he sat in a friends S.U.V. What he did to Aidan thats just the tip of the iceberg. It is completely immaterial what led up to it, OMeara said in a statement. At his trial, Mr. Dunn testified that he fired only after Mr. Davis pointed a shotgun at him. He always liked to have fun., Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude. 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. 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. nothing was done. All rights reserved (About Us). Sunmoon Oh. The only thing that caused this murder was suspect's actions, 100%. But thats the narrative, thats the frame of white supremacy.. abuse continued. . 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. This is not good journalism, but rather an excellent example of trash journalism. Thats not our purpose and its not our responsibility.. It is completely immaterial what led up to it.. The suspect confronted Ellison and allegedly fatally shot him, authorities said. and what hes done. said. Speak AIDAN ELLISON's name and het justice! Robert Keegan, 47, fired a single shot into Ellison's chest in a motel parking lot after he reportedly awoke to loud music. Did you encounter any technical issues? What can be said about this teenager who was full of spirit? Facebook and the Rogue Free Press are the only sources for details. Robert Keegan, 47, has been charged with his murder. I want them to know According to the affidavit first obtained by The Oregonian, Keegan told police hed asked Ellison to turn down the music that had awakened him, but the teenager refused. 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. Keegan was staying at. He is currently being held without bail at the Jackson County Jail and is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter in Ellisons death. It is completely immaterial what led up to it.". Local activists criticized police comments saying that Ellison was killed because of his music and said they believe his death was race-related. Anyone can read what you share. 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. Black Teenager Is Fatally Shot in Argument Over Music, Police Say, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/30/us/aidan-ellison-oregon-shooting.html. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Ellison was reportedly in the Ashland's Stratford Inn parking lot and . If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Keegan told police Ellison made the first move during the argument, hitting him in the face with his fist. Mr. Keegan was being held without bail in the Jackson County Jail, according to jail records. Sunmoon Oh. Hoppins said Keegan might have a The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. He is being held without bond at Jackson County Jail. The accused actions and the actual reality of his actions speak for themselves. somewhere safe from them.. Look at the actions of the perpetrator. More Stories: - Prison guard says he was fired for Black Lives Matter shirt A Talent man pleaded not guilty Friday to a murder charge stemming from the shooting death of a Black teenager Nov. 23 in the parking lot of an Ashland hotel, the Jackson County District Attorneys office said. He pleaded not guilty to all. Robert P Keegan, 49. It is completely immaterial what led up to it, OMeara wrote. The Oregon shooting has attracted national attention. It is time that Southern Oregon make a real commitment to dismantling anti-Black racism, by committing time, energy, and the resources needed to create community conversations that unpack and address how white supremacy culture among white and non-Black people jeopardize the safety of Black people, the group added. TzadhiI Masji Burt, 19, said that he was close friends with Mr. Ellison and that they had both experienced homelessness in Ashland. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The affidavit also concluded that Ellison or Keegan did not have any injuries indicating a physical fight had occurred. was a good idea to leave, she said. Enough is enough. 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. . Rosebud Media has a monopoly on print media. Bob thinks hell get away with murdering this young He is being held without bail after pleading not. Robert Keegan, 47, pleaded not guilty to four criminal counts at his arraignment, including second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, reckless endangering and unlawful possession of a. manipulative, abusive and cruel, she said. Keegans face also had no visible sign of injuries, according to a newly unsealed probable cause affidavit filed in Jackson County Circuit. Ashland Police Chief Tighe OMeara said in a statement on Facebook that the two got into an argument over Ellison playing loud music in the parking lot. Only 1.4% of Ashland residents are Black, and 92.5% are white, according to the census. The only thing that caused this murder was the suspects actions, 100%. A lobby group headed by former Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona, who survived being shot in the head in 2011, called the slaying senseless.. But that's the narrative, that's the frame of white supremacy," Edmonds said. This story has been shared 122,317 times. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Im so sorry for his family and friends and I wish I could Little information was immediately available about Ellison himself. While a GoFundMe account in But the perpetrator is smooth talker. Keegan was staying at the motel with his son after the Almeda Fire caused them to be displaced from their home in Talent. Mr. Ellison, he said, was just the most selfless person.. The teen, whose name has not been publicly confirmed by police, has been widely identified on social media and in news reports as Aidan Ellison, 19. One anonymous source claimed they The affidavit states a hotel employee went to the parking lot to talk to the young man and, as they were talking, Keegan confronted Ellison, who was also a hotel guest. "It is believed that the suspects were driving around the city randomly shooting at citizens with no apparent motive," the Henderson Police Department said in a press release. Keegans attorney did not return a request for comment, CNN reported Monday. The wildfire, which burned in September, decimated the cities of Talent and Phoenix. They just report what they're told by the powers that be. Actions speak louder than words. The other passengers were not struck. .. in doing so you may well save a life - mine. Yes, hes that crazed. We've received your submission. Keegan is facing four criminal counts, including second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, reckless endangering and unlawful. Another reason might be they're scared of BLM activists protesting in our "safe" little bubble. A young man is dead; do you get that, Zach? Im in another part of the "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," Ashland Police Chief Tighe O'Meara told KTVL-TV. them.. Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR. 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. 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, 47, is from the nearby small town of Talent, which was heavily damaged in a wildfire in September. This is at the root of racism.. Victim blaming. Several Black men and women spoke of how they had been racially profiled or stigmatized, and they mourned for the young life that was snuffed out. 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. I hope the investigation will reveal other things about him "He was listening to his music too loudly that's irrelevant," Precious Edmonds, a representative of Southern Oregon Black Leaders, Activists, and Community Coalition told Oregon Live. His 3-year-old son was in their hotel room at the time of the shooting and was handed over to his grandparents when his father was arrested, OMeara said. that theyre in my heart and prayers. 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. Keegan has. Four years later, Mr. Daviss mother, Lucy McBath, was elected to Congress, representing a district just north of Atlanta. Why KTVL or the other local media failed to check . And thus far has managed to turn it all into the *Blame the Victim Game* as much as possible. Aidan Ellison should be alive today. This is a guy who needs to be in prison for the rest of his life. 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. 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. Please! Hes dead and my ex is responsible didn't have a concealed weapon permit) and recklessly endangering another issued a statement seeking to clarify remarks. On Wednesday evening, a crowd of people stood on a lawn outside the Jackson County Justice Building in nearby Medford for a vigil for Ellison. Keegan was still on the scene when police arrived, and he was arrested immediately and taken to the Jackson County Jail. Not only of Keegan but his goddamned family. Robert Keegan, 47, has been charged with his murder. Edmonds said a local organization had held a forum in August, in which police officers from around the Rogue Valley discussed racism. 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. However, an official autopsy report does not support that account, concluding the teenagers body did not show injuries that would have been indicative of him punching Keegan.. How many Black men have to die before this community takes hate crimes seriously?. The FBI is working with the Ashland Police Department to assess whether federal laws may have been violated, the police department announced Thursday. Black man on Nov. 23. It was utterly senseless, didnt need to happen, people getting violent with each other for such stupid reasons, OMeara said, NBC reports. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. He was listening to his music too loudly thats irrelevant, Edmonds said. Keegan was arraigned on November 24 and indicted for charges including second degree murder, first degree manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm, and recklessly endangering another person. On occasion, they would stay together whenever one of them found suitable housing, Mr. Burt said. Ellison, who police have said was also a guest at the hotel at the time, was homeless, a friend hed stayed with sporadically told KMVU last week. Yes! At that point, Chief Tighe, along with others in the valley, said they dont see racism in their departments, she said. 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.. Robert Keegan, 47, is. I can't say for sure, but I suspect that Southern Oregon is not blessed with many talented investigative journalists. No one does. Consequently the state has a disproportionately low Black population compared with much of the rest of the United States. I have scars all over my body that are visible damage from Robert Paul Keegan's sadistic abuse of me. Hes Mr. Davis was hit three times and died in the car. doubled down on her efforts to get custody of her son. ensued and Ellison was shot. 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. OMeara clarified his comments about Keegans alleged motive on Thursday, saying the only thing that caused Ellisons death was the suspects actions. Robert Paul Keegan Murdered teenager A man behind bars in connection with the Ashland murder claimed he was "not guilty" on Friday. knew both Hoppins and Keegan when they were together. Im certain of it. Trump says he's heading to Georgia to campaign for GOP sen Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, Murdaugh son collapsed outside court after sitting stone-faced through dad's 6-week murder trial: source, Harry and Meghan hold the upper hand on King Charles coronation: Source, Hated Tom Sandoval addresses Ariana Madix split amid cheating claims, Kelly Osbourne posts first photo of baby son as he hangs out with uncle Jack, Undertaker transforms coffin into barbecue grill, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce. Please visit both our pages and help where you can. of them. I lost count the number of Robert Keegan, 47, has been charged with his murder. The shooting drew condemnation from Southern Oregons Black community, which raised concerns about the areas culture and history of white supremacy. 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. "It doesn't change a thing, how good the man who shot him was. 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. KTVL-TV reported that Keegan had staying at the hotel after he was displaced by the Almeda wildfires in September. 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. The probable cause affidavit in the case is sealed. Yes, there was an argument over music, no, this did not happen because of loud music, it happened because the suspect chose to bring a gun with him and chose to use it, 100 percent on him, not the poor young man that was murdered.. He is being held without bail after pleading not guilty to second-degree murder, manslaughter and other charges. Is there "good journalism" in the Rogue Valley? The confrontation eventually escalated into a verbal dispute, then a fatal shooting, according to KTVL-TV. 2. According to Ashland police, Keegan and Ellison, who did not know each other, were arguing when Keegan took a gun out of his coat and fired a single shot at Ellisons chest. Weve just had conversations about how dangerous that is calling the police on a Black person for basic things like playing music too loud, Edmonds said. 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. The killing of Mr. Ellison recalled a similar shooting in Florida exactly eight years earlier. Inn after claiming hed lost his home during the Almeda Fire. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. threatened to burn my home. The incident where Aidan was shot after an argument listening to his music was really about him not submitting to that mans perceived authority, she said. Yes, Im scared as Find Robert Keegan's phone number, address, and email on Spokeo, the leading people search directory for contact information and public records. If someone says its raining and another person says its dry, its not your job to quote them both. Update: Talent man pleads not guilty in killing of Black teenager in Ashland hotel parking lot. In an eerie echo of the Jordan Davis case, an Oregon man has. 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. Hoppins said shes contacted the All rights reserved (About Us). Keegan then took a gun out of his coat and fired a single shot into Ellisons chest, police reports say. well, they got sloppy.I've covered the crime beat for a long time. At around 4:20 a.m. Monday, Keegan, A guest at the inn, Robert Paul Keegan, 47, left his room because he thought someone was playing music too loudly in the lot outside, according to the police. According to KTVL, a Medford-based news station, the homicide is the first in Ashland this year. 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 state's wildfires became enraged by Ellison for playing loud music in the parking lot at about 4 a.m. as the pair argued. All of those things are not relevant to what occurred. The Stratford Inn in Ashland, Ore., where the police said a teenager was fatally shot after another guest confronted him about loud music. You speak as if you are a member of the accused's family. Ashland, a city of 21,000 people that lies at the foot of a mountain range near the California border, is home to Southern Oregon University and hosts the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which draws hundreds of thousands of people each year from around the country for plays. An Oregon man fatally shot a Black teenager on Monday after a confronting him for playing loud music in a hotel parking lot, according to police and local media reports. "Yes, there was an argument over music, no, this did not happen because of loud music, 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," O'Meara continued.