Redmond police respond to call, prompting homicide investigation near homeless camp off East Antler Avenue
(Update: Adding video from scene, police comments)
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Redmond police and Central Oregon’s Major Crimes Team are investigating an apparent homicide near a homeless camp off East Antler Avenue, police confirmed Tuesday afternoon.
Police Public Information Officer Lt. Eric Beckwith said he could only provide limited initial details.
“Early this morning, Redmond police officers were dispatched to a call in the area of East Antler and Ninth street," he said. The call entailed a serious person crime, but after the officers responded, an initial assessment was made. Detectives were called out. That case is now being investigated as a homicide. Information we have right now is that that homicide is contained to the persons involved, and we don't have an immediate need to alert the public to an immediate danger.”
Earlier, Beckwith told NewsChannel 21 investigators “believe it’s isolated to the people involved” and police are "not asking the public for help at this point with anything.”
However, Beckwith said, “We do not have anybody in custody.”
The lieutenant said police were asking people to avoid the area between Ninth and 12th Streets on Antler Avenue, east of Highway 97 while the investigation was underway.
The Major Crimes Team investigation has been ongoing for several hours, Beckwith confirmed, with a command post established and more investigators still arriving to assist. The Oregon State Police Forensics Lab was assisting in gathering evidence and information.
Redmond Police say as they work through the evidence they’ve gathered, they’ll release more details to the public.