Law enforcement officials say there appears to be no threat to the public

Ashland.news staff report

Update: 6:23 p.m.

An Ashland man is dead after being shot multiple times in his vehicle near A and North Second Streets, a little after 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 7.

According to Dan Moulin, deputy chief of the Ashland Police Department, law enforcement officers and Ashland Fire & Rescue responded to an emergency call at 3:38 a.m. to A and North Second streets. There, they found Matthew Mark Vandersande, 40, of Ashland, lying on the ground next to his vehicle, dead from several gunshot wounds.

Moulin said the shooter is still at large.

So far, Moulin said investigators have not determined a motive for the crime.

Law enforcement officials said the shooter approached Vandersande while he was in his vehicle and fired multiple rounds, striking him several times. Later, the shooter — dressed in dark clothing— can be seen on security camera footage from nearby businesses fleeing the scene on A Street, heading toward Pioneer Street immediately after the shooting.

Moulin said the Ashland Police Department is urging those who live in the area to check their surveillance cameras for any footage that might help identify the shooter, particularly between 3 and 4 a.m.

Those with information they think can be helpful can call Rick Spence, detective sergeant with the Ashland Police Department, at 541-552-2172, or the police tip line at 541-552-2333.

Update: 5:10 p.m.

According to a post on the Ashland Police Department Facebook page, “A Street is open and the area is clear.”

In a Sunday email, Jackson County District Attorney Patrick Green said that there may be some additional details shared by the Ashland Police Department. However, he said, the homicide investigation is currently active.

“As with any active investigation or pending case, we are limited in the details we can provide publicly,” Green wrote.

He added that there is no information to suggest that there is an ongoing threat to the public.

Original story:

The Ashland Police Department confirmed Sunday morning law enforcement officials are investigating a homicide in the area of A and Second Street in Ashland’s Railroad District, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page.

The post noted that there does not appear to be any threat to the public at this time.

According to the release, the department has enlisted the assistance of additional agencies in the investigation, including the Oregon State Police, the Medford Police Department, the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office, the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Oregon State Police Crime Lab.

The department has also brought in the Jackson County Major Assault/Death Investigation Unit.  

Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara and Jackson County District Attorney Patrick Green both did not immediately respond to requests for comment.  

Email Ashland.news associate editor Steve Mitchell at [email protected].

Sept. 9: Updated to remove inference a particular suspect had been identified.