1 arrested, 2 at large in burglary turned homicide on Rogue River Highway

JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. – Grants Pass Police are still searching for two burglary turned murder suspects connected to an incident last month on Rogue River Highway.
According to court documents, a third suspect, Rick Eric Braton Lester, 36 of Happy Camp, is already in custody

Lester is facing charges for second degree murder, robbery, burglary, assault, and unlawful use of a weapon. The court says he is linked to a fatal burglary turned shooting on November 21.

The documents say Lester was one of the people who tried to rob an apartment on Rogue River Highway before realizing the home was occupied.

Lester then allegedly threatened and assaulted a male victim inside the home.

Another suspect, who’s name is not in the court document, shot and killed a woman inside the home while leaving the scene.  That suspect has yet to be found.

Grants Pass Police declined an interview due to the ongoing investigation.  IT said more information will be available when the other suspects are arrested.

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Taylar Ansures is a producer and reporter for NBC5 News. Taylar is from Redding, California and went to California State University, Chico. After graduating, she joined KRCR News Channel 7 in Redding as a morning producer. She moved to Southern Oregon in 2022 to be closer to family and became KTVL News 10’s digital producer. Taylar is currently finishing her Master's Degree in Professional Creative Writing through the University of Denver. In her free time, Taylar frequents independent bookstores and explores hiking trails across Southern Oregon and Northern California.
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