MEDFORD, OR — An early morning attempted home invasion on Sunday ended in a fatal shooting after a neighbor intervened to stop an assault on an elderly resident.
According to Medford Police, officers responded at approximately 3:35 a.m. on November 2 to reports of a shooting at 18 Hawthorne Street. Investigators later identified the deceased as 32-year-old Martin Uriel Jimenez of Medford.
Police reports indicate that just prior to the shooting, a neighbor overheard a loud commotion outside his apartment. Looking out his window, he witnessed an unknown man attempting to force entry into a nearby unit known to be occupied by an elderly individual.
The neighbor retrieved a firearm and went to assist. Upon entering the scene, he observed Jimenez physically assaulting the elderly resident. In response, the neighbor discharged multiple rounds, fatally wounding Jimenez. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The shooter was detained by police and is cooperating with investigators. No arrests have been made. The Medford Police Department confirmed that, per standard protocol in incidents involving deadly force, the case will be reviewed by the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
This incident highlights the importance of situational awareness and readiness in self-defense scenarios. The neighbor’s swift and courageous decision to intervene likely saved the elderly resident from serious injury or worse. His actions serve as a powerful reminder of the difference a prepared and vigilant armed citizen can make in protecting innocent life.