(Update 4/24 6:30pm): Medford Police say they have already caught other suspects who were previously on the loose. Two others who police believe had some involvement have already been interviewed.
So far, two people are in the Jackson County Jail and a teen is in Juvenile Detention.
The case is expected to be presented to a grand jury this week or next and the exact charges will be determined.
Police arrested 20 year-old Deloy Espinosa at 6:30 Wednesday night after a traffic stop on Riverside and 10th.
Officers recognized Espinosa as a suspect involved in the stabbing. He was taken into custody without incident.
After being interviewed, Espinosa was charged with multiple assault charges.
Police believe that Espinosa was the stabber.
At last check, the victim is still in the hospital. He was upgraded from serious to stable condition Wednesday night.
Medford, Ore. — Stephanie Dietrich said she’s not surprised to see her apartment building surrounded with crime tape. She said “we hear gunshots every night all over here, we got a nutcake over here that likes to shoot people, a nutcake over there that likes to do target practice in his backyard.”
Dietrich said Monday was a normal noisy night at her apartment complex on Elm and 10th street. “Since these people moved in, it’s been very noisy every night, all night,” she said. But one of her neighbors apparently couldn’t take the noise anymore. “Chris went up to ask them to keep it down and I guess one of the guys stabbed him several times,” Dietrich said.
Police said they don’t know who stabbed the 39-year-old man, but said whoever did it was part of a group. The victim was stabbed over and over and severely beaten. Lt. Mike Budreau of Medford Police said “for whatever reason this group of individuals took a disliking to this victim and went way to far.” He also said he was lucky that a neighbor stepped in. Lt. Budreau said “he actually assisted in breaking it up and getting the individuals off the victim and then he transported the victim to the hospital.”
Out of the group, police have taken two people into custody, 18-year-old Lucas Carstens and a juvenile who isn’t being identified.
Lt. Budreau gave a word of advice, “call us and we will handle it, we do it all the time and we would much rather do that than have something like this happen.”
But Stephanie Dietrich says she isn’t taking any chances “we’re moving, we are looking for a place.”
Medford Police said they do not believe the incident is gang related. They’re looking for 3 to 4 more suspects. The victim is in serious condition.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Medford Police Department, 541-770-4783.
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