Aidan was murdered because he was a young Black person who made a white man uncomfortable and refused to submit to that mans personally-perceived authority - not because he was listening to music too loudly.. Ellison was reportedly in the Ashland's Stratford Inn parking lot and listening to music. dont deserve this pain and suffering now. Keegan, who was staying at the motel with his young son, got angry at Ellison for playing loud music in the parking around 4 a.m., according to Ashland Police Chief Tighe OMeara. The blame for the incident is entirely on Robert Keegan, he is 100% responsible for it, OMeara said. 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. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Mr. Lull said Mr. Keegan did not have a lawyer assigned to his case. 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.. "It doesn't change a thing, how good the man who shot him was. abuse continued. TzadhiI Masji Burt, 19, said that he was close friends with Mr. Ellison and that they had both experienced homelessness in Ashland. A lobby group headed by former Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona, who survived being shot in the head in 2011, called the slaying senseless.. In keeping with the Shakespeare theme, many of the communitys buildings have Tudor-style architecture. Keegans lawyer did not respond to CNNs request for comment. 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 shooting has drawn condemnation from Southern Oregons Black community, which raised concerns about the areas culture and history of white supremacy. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Robert Keegan Jackson County Sheriff's Office Mr. Keegan was arrested at the scene and was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, unlawful possession of a weapon and. with a concealed handgun -- went outside to confront Ellison. Only 1.4% of Ashland residents are Black, and 92.5% are white, according to the census. An argument ensued, and police said Keegan shot Ellison in the chest and killed him. Keegan and his son were staying at the Stratford Oregon has a racist history the state constitution once prohibited Blacks from living in the state. All Filters. Authorities say Robert Keegan pulled a gun out of his coat and shot Aidan Ellison during an argument over the 19-year-olds loud music. The teens slaying is the only homicide in Ashland this year, SOBLACC officials said. At his trial, Mr. Dunn testified that he fired only after Mr. Davis pointed a shotgun at him. To be clear, Aidan was murdered because he was a young black person who made a white man uncomfortable and refused to submit to that mans personally perceived authoritynot because he was listening to music too loudly, the Southern Oregon Black Leaders, Activists and Community Coalition said in a statement. This story has been shared 122,317 times. for it, she said. This is at the root of racism.. Robert Keegan, 47, is. The shooting took place in the early-morning hours of Nov. 23 at the Stratford Inn in Ashland, Ore., about 180 miles south of Eugene, the police said. appreciated. She hopes Ellisons loved ones Black man on Nov. 23. He even drugged me from time to time. Hoppins said she grieves over One anonymous source claimed they Bobs a violent man. GO TO THE COURT HOUSE! Keegan is facing four criminal counts, including second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, reckless endangering and unlawful possession . (Prosecutors said the endangerment charge was filed because a hotel clerk was nearby at the time of the shooting.). will find justice. knew both Hoppins and Keegan when they were together. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. When officers arrived, they found Ellison dead with a single gunshot wound to his chest. Inn after claiming hed lost his home during the Almeda Fire. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. But, but all means, go on and play a good ally to the BIPOC community when it suits your ego. But the perpetrator is smooth talker. An Oregon man displaced by one of the state's devastating wildfires was charged with killing a man at a motel he was temporarily living in, according to a report. Robert Keegan, a 47-year-old white man, is accused of shooting Ellison during a Nov. 23, 2020, dispute over loud music in the parking lot of the Stratford Inn in Ashland. 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. He and Ellison were both staying at the motel but apparently did not know each other before that night. The killing of Mr. Ellison recalled a similar shooting in Florida exactly eight years earlier. Keegan was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, reckless endangering and unlawful carrying of a firearm in connection with the deadly ordeal. Black activists in Ashland say the killing has exposed the towns undercurrent of racism. Follow Andrew Selsky on Twitter at https://twitter.com/andrewselsky, Candles are lit during a vigil for Aidan Ellison at the Jackson County Justice building in downtown Medford, Ore., Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. 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. In October, Edmonds said her organization held a police forum to discuss the matter further, and allow the officers to hear from Black residents. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, accused of killing a black teen at a hotel. well, they got sloppy.I've covered the crime beat for a long time. Its not just about a racist person, but about structure, policy and things that allow the marginalization and unfair criminalization of Black people.. Unfortunately, there was nothing to be done.. Please visit both our pages and help where you can. To be clear, Aidan was murdered because he was a young black person who made a white man uncomfortable and refused to submit to that mans personally-perceived authority not because he was listening to music too loudly, the Southern Oregon Black Leaders, Activists and Community Coalition (SOBLACC) said in a statement. He speaks English and Spanish. SALEM, Ore. (AP) The killing of a young Black man last month by a white man who complained that he was playing loud music has roiled Ashland, Oregon, forcing the liberal college town that is famous for its Shakespeare festival to take a hard look at race relations. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. It is muckracking, offering no publicly-pertinent information, and conveys nothing about the character of the murder suspect except by hearsay or insinuation. It was utterly senseless, didnt need to happen, people getting violent with each other for such stupid reasons, OMeara said, NBC reports. 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. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Im worried that he will come that theyre in my heart and prayers. nothing was done. This undated image provided by Sunmoon Oh shows Aidan Ellison, who was killed on Nov. 23, 2020, in Ashland, Ore. Bob had a way of convincing people that he was the good guy. 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.. While media reports stated Keegan was from Talent, Hoppins said her ex's last known address was on the 300 block of Kent Street in Ashland. He, he was just a great person. It is completely immaterial what led up to it, OMeara wrote. Hoppins said Keegan might have a I was strangled, suffocated and hit. Robert P Keegan, 49. Keegan is also charged with unlawful possession of a weaponfor concealing a firearm without a concealed carry permit as well as reckless endangering, a charge related to another person who was present during the shooting, according to KTVL. Local activists criticized police comments saying that Ellison was killed because of his music and said they believe his death was race-related. STAND UP FOR AIDAN ELLISON! Robert Paul Keegan, 47, of Talent, entered the plea Friday to charges including second-degree murder in the fatal Nov. 23 shooting of 19-year-old Aidan Ellison, according to the Jackson County. You speak as if you are a member of the accused's family. If you search him on https://webportal.courts.oregon.gov/portal/You can see the court mandated classes for domestic violence and the no contact order. shocked by Robert Paul Bob Keegans arrest after he allegedly shot a young All Rights Reserved. All of those things are not relevant to what occurred. was on the 300 block of Kent Street in Ashland. A Talent man has been charged with murder after police say he shot and killed a Black teenager in the parking lot of an Ashland hotel on Monday. How many Black men have to die before this community takes hate crimes seriously?. And unfortunately, Aidans murder is just an example of why that is the case.. son. A man in Oregon fatally shot a teenager Thanksgiving week after getting upset that the 19-year-old was playing music loudly in the parking lot of an inn that the two were staying at, police said. Browse Locations. 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. Robert Keegan, 47, fired a single shot into Ellison's chest in a motel parking lot after he reportedly awoke to loud music. He pleaded not guilty to all. Sunmoon Oh. 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But that's the narrative, that's the frame of white supremacy," Edmonds said. He always liked to have fun., Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude. People getting violent with each other for such stupid reasons., Mr. Keegan was arrested at the scene and was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, unlawful possession of a weapon and recklessly endangering another person, according to court records. He is being held without bond at Jackson County Jail. The confrontation eventually escalated into a verbal dispute, then a fatal shooting, according to KTVL-TV. threatened. 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; Robert Keegan; Oregon; Ashland; Robert Keegan in Ashland, OR Robert Keegan may also have lived outside of Ashland, such as Jacksonville, Roseburg and 2 other cities in Oregon. The shooting occurred at the Stratford Inn hotel where both were staying on Monday after Keegan confronted the teen about the volume of his music. Edmonds said a local organization had held a forum in August, in which police officers from around the Rogue Valley discussed racism. OMeara confirmed that the person responsible for the shooting was still on scene and was detained immediately by the officers. He also mentioned that paramedics tried to save Ellison but were unsuccessful. Do you care? 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. Yes, hes that crazed. Mr. Davis was hit three times and died in the car. She said the community at large seems to be mourning Ellisons death, but said part of the issue is that people shouldnt have to know him personally to respect who he was. The motel where the shooting happened is the Stratford Inn, recalling Shakespeares birthplace of Stratford-Upon-Avon. Ellison died at the scene. Keegans face also had no visible sign of injuries, according to a newly unsealed probable cause affidavit filed in Jackson County Circuit. Chief OMeara said the department was looking into whether the shooting was driven by race, adding that a racial motive had not been legally substantiated.. Sunmoon Oh. I just wish I could do something for But Ashland Mayor-elect Julie Akins said she believes racism was behind the shooting. All rights reserved (About Us). They just report what they're told by the powers that be. We've received your submission. In an eerie echo of the Jordan Davis case, an Oregon man has. Is that "good journalism"? His ex-wife Amy Jo Hoppins is one The accused actions and the actual reality of his actions speak for themselves. I dont feel more safe because Im here in Ashland. OMeara released a statement on Facebook on Thursday, addressing concerns that he said some community members had about his comments on the murder. to music. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Hes dead and my ex is responsible Hoppins said in January 2015 Robert Keegan in Oregon. and what hes done. As of press time, Keegan is in the county jail and held without bond. He is being held without bail after pleading not guilty to second-degree murder, manslaughter and other charges. Some of them threatened her Keegan has. 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. He is being held without bail after pleading not guilty to second-degree murder, manslaughter and other charges.- ADVERTISEMENT -https://s.yimg.com/rq/darla/4-6-/html/r-sf-flx.html Robert Keegan, 47, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, reckless endangering, and unlawful weapons possession in connection with the death of 19-year-old Aidan Ellison, the Ashland Police Department said in a news release. It is completely immaterial what led up to it, OMeara said in a statement. A son that Keegan had custody of Ms. Hopkins, as an alleged victim of spousal abuse, deserves a voice -- as does Aidan Ellison. One time, he even lit a torch and Robert Paul Keegan, 47, pleaded not guilty Friday to several charges, including second-degree murder, for the Nov. 23 shooting death of 19-year-old Aidan Ellison at the Stratford Inn hotel, the. Thats why Im hiding from him and his family., Thank you for digging for the truth and not whitewashing and victim blaming like other media. And his loved ones Robert Keegan, 47, has been charged with his murder. He needs to be He had nothing, but yet even if he had something, he would give it to you, no questions asked, pal Sunmoon Oh told the station. Michael Dunn was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Little information was immediately available about Ellison himself. Ellisons death recalled the killing exactly eight years earlier of Jordan Davis, a Black 17-year-old high school student, who was gunned down by a white man in Florida following an argument over loud music. The fact that Keegan armed himself and went out to confront someone is a major red flag. 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. Facts. At around 4:20 a.m. Monday, Keegan, allegedly shot and killed a young Black man named Aidan Ellison, 19, Ashland. He has 22 years of experience. Im certain of it. order against him when they lived in Coos County. Discovery Company. 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. Keegan was staying at the motel with his son after the Almeda Fire caused them to be displaced from their home in Talent. Dr. Matthew Stafford Keegan, MD is a health care provider primarily located in Portland, OR, with another office in Clackamas, OR. Black Musicians Are Not A Monolith: An Interview with Bartees Strange. Ashland and Phoenix police responded to reports of a shooting in the parking lot of Stratford Inn at around 4:20 a.m. Everyday I was with him, I felt was a good idea to leave, she said. threatened to burn my home. still good at it.. While it has been reported that Yes! The wildfire, which burned in September, decimated the cities of Talent and Phoenix. Robert Paul Keegan, 47, of Talent, entered the plea Friday to charges including second-degree murder in the fatal Nov. 23 shooting of 19-year-old Aidan Ellison, according to the Jackson County District Attorneys Office. Bob thinks hell get away with murdering this young Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Mr. Keegan was being held without bail in the Jackson County Jail, according to jail records. Mr. Keegan had been staying at the Stratford Inn since being displaced by the Almeda Fire in September, Chief OMeara said. Yes, there was an argument over music, no, this 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.. View Robert Keegan results in Oregon (OR) including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. bail hearing next month and that bothers her. The probable cause affidavit in the case is sealed. What he did to Aidan thats just the tip of the iceberg. Robert Keegan, 47, has been charged with his murder. An argument manipulative, abusive and cruel, she said. in a parking lot outside a convenience store in Jacksonville. Hes the one who chose to bring a gun into the situation., 1 dead after multiple random shootings in Nevada on Thanksgiving. These dupes are the price of the iconic sweater, but still as sleek as a slicked-back bun and hoops. On occasion, they would stay together whenever one of them found suitable housing, Mr. Burt said. At around 4:20 a.m. Monday, Keegan, 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. An Oregon man displaced by one of the states devastating wildfires was charged with killing a man at a motel he was temporarily living in, according to a report. Aidans murder isnt a Black problem, but a community problem.. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). Robert Paul Keegan, 47 . Robert Keegen has been charged with murder in the shooting of an Oregon teen Tonya Pendleton | Nov 27, 2020 Loading the player. Ashland Police Dept. Keegan didnt have a criminal record, Hoppins stated that in 2012 she got a restraining Not only of Keegan but his goddamned family. Robert Paul Keegan Murdered teenager A man behind bars in connection with the Ashland murder claimed he was "not guilty" on Friday. Which of the TV stations have "good journalists"? An Oregon advocacy group, meanwhile, said the teens murder is another example of Oregons racist history with and current practice of white supremacy. The Stratford Inn in Ashland, Ore., where the police said a teenager was fatally shot after another guest confronted him about loud music. The only thing that caused this murder was suspect's actions, 100%. Mr. Ellison, he said, was just the most selfless person.. Were horrified, said Amie Wexler, a volunteer with gun control advocacy group Oregon Moms Demand Action, said in a statement Saturday. Cops said that Keegan was not happy about the loud music and -- armed SALEM, Ore. (AP) The killing of a young Black man last month by a white man who complained that he was playing loud music has roiled Ashland, Oregon, forcing the liberal college town that is famous for its Shakespeare festival to take a hard look at race relations. 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. In Ashland, Oregon, a white man was arrested and is suspected offatally shooting a Black teen in a motel parking lot Monday morning following a heated altercation that, according to authorities, started over loud music. So, I did. Is there "good journalism" in the Rogue Valley? I hope the investigation will reveal other things about him Send it to The Daily Beasthere. The fatal shooting of Ellison, a young Black man, by Robert Keegan, a . He was listening to his music too loudly thats irrelevant, Edmonds said. And, The shooting drew condemnation from Southern Oregons Black community, which raised concerns about the areas culture and history of white supremacy. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. . Keegan is accused of shooting 19-year-old Aidan Ellison in the chest and killing him in the parking lot of the hotel where they were both staying as guests. Robert KEEGAN of Curtin University, Bentley | Contact Robert KEEGAN Yes, Im scared as Keegan then took a gun out of his coat and fired a single shot into Ellisons chest, police reports say. 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. Keegan, who was still at the scene, was arrested and taken to Jackson County Jail, officials said. Ashland, OR (2) Jacksonville, OR (2) Medford, OR (1) North Bend . He was pronounced dead at the scene. His actions prove the person he is. "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. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). country and Im still afraid. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. He is being held without bail after pleading not guilty to second-degree murder, manslaughter and other charges. 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. I want to do whatever I can with the police department to navigate our marginalized community member relationships and find a way through this.. Facebook posts from some Ashland Black Lives Matter groups said there would be a vigil for the teen on Thursday, at the site where he was killed. His specialties include Family Medicine. Instead, another family is in mourning, and the country is learning the name of yet another Black teenager who didnt get the chance to grow up.. Keegan is facing four criminal counts, including second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, reckless endangering and unlawful. even worse, was how abusive he was to my son. Some articles noted that Keegan was a survivor of the Almeda fire, and a GoFundMe page raising money for their losses notes that Keegan and his young son were living at the hotel while they tried to recover from the fire that destroyed thousands of structures in the Ashland area. He was full of laughter love. Black Teenager Is Fatally Shot in Argument Over Music, Police Say, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/30/us/aidan-ellison-oregon-shooting.html. Were challenging the idea that racism could be everywhere except their police department, she said. Theyre just as bad as he is. The only thing that caused this murder was the suspects actions, 100%. issued a statement seeking to clarify remarks. I truly hope Jo Hoppins has the courage to tell her story in court, so he cant win over a jury, and his innocence can be disproved. and his family talking about what they want to do to me. I suffered years of his incessant screaming how he's having another mental breakdown. 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. 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. Edmonds said her organization also challenges comments from those who say Keegan should have called the police instead of acting on his own. Keegan, who also pleaded not guilty to first-degree manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm and recklessly endangering another person, was ordered held without bail ahead of his next court appearance on Feb. 22, prosecutors said. Keegan is facing four criminal counts, including second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, reckless endangering and unlawful possession of a weapon. He is being held without bail after pleading not. 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. Did you encounter any technical issues? However, no shotgun was ever found and witnesses say they never saw one. (Andy Atkinson/The Medford Mail Tribune via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. It is completely immaterial what led up to it, Ashland Police Chief Tighe OMeara said in a Thursday statement. Sleek spring sweatersThese dupes are the price of the iconic sweater, but still as sleek as a slicked-back bun and hoops. . Keegans attorney did not return a request for comment, CNN reported Monday. 2. I can't say for sure, but I suspect that Southern Oregon is not blessed with many talented investigative journalists. Enough is enough. The only thing that caused this murder was suspects actions, 100 percent. Chief Tighe OMeara of the Ashland Police Department identified the victim as Aiden Ellison, 19, though a friend and a woman who answered the phone at Ashland High School, where Mr. Ellison was a student, said his first name was Aidan, with two As. Keegan, 47, is from the nearby small town of Talent, which was heavily damaged in a wildfire in September. 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. 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. 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. Benjamin Lull, a deputy Jackson County district attorney, said the killing was still being investigated and declined to discuss it in detail. She added that the organization was frustrated with many people, including police and local news organizations, for their attempts to absolve Keegan while vilifying Ellison. I have scars all over my body that are visible damage from Robert Paul Keegan's sadistic abuse of me. Ashland Police Chief Tighe OMeara said investigators have not found any evidence that would support bias crime charges against Keegan. I hope they lock up (Keegan) for The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. All of those things are not relevant to what occurred. It is completely immaterial what led up to it.". According to NBC 5, Ellison was shot once in the chest. We've received your submission. OMeara later posted a clarification to his statement on Ashland Polices Facebook page Thursday. In 2014, a jury rejected Mr. Dunns self-defense claim and convicted him of first-degree murder. murder, first-degree manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm (Keegan 2023 Cable News Network. Robert Keegan, 47, is accused of fatally shooting 19-year-old Aidan Ellison in the parking lot of the Stratford Inn in Ashland on Monday morning, KTVL reported, citing police. This story has been shared 122,317 times. Hes just the sort of slime who The other passengers were not struck. Keegan left with her son.