Medford Teen Shot in the Neck During 2 A.M. Altercation With Stranger

MEDFORD, Ore. — A 16-year-old Medford teenager was shot in the neck during an altercation with a stranger during the early hours of Sunday morning.

The teenager was admitted to a local hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident unfolded at 2.21 a.m. on Sunday when officers from the Medford Police Department (MPD) responded to a report of a shooting at the intersection of Crater Lake Avenue and Steven Street.

On arrival at the scene, officers found the wounded teenager. His assailant had, however, fled the scene.

Officers established a cordon and located the suspect, Phoenix Wood (21), in a parking garage in Providence. He was arrested without incident, and police recovered a firearm.

MPD CID detectives established that during the confrontation, the suspect produced a handgun with which he struck the victim. While doing so, the firearm discharged, and a bullet struck the teenager in the neck.

Tidings Insight
MPD said CID took over the case. That means the incident moved fast from patrol response to detective review, with interviews, evidence work, and prosecutor prep now driving the investigation.

The two were unknown to one another.

Wood was lodged at the Jackson County Jail on a charge of second-degree assault.

Tidings Insight
In Oregon, second-degree assault can apply when someone causes physical injury with a deadly weapon. A life threatening wound is not required for that charge.

The investigation is ongoing.

Tidings Timeline
  • 2:21 a.m. : officers respond to report of a shooting.
  • Minutes later : teen found with a neck wound and taken to hospital.
  • Early Sunday : suspect found in Providence parking garage and gun recovered.
  • Sunday : Phoenix Wood booked on second-degree assault.
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