21-Year-Old Man Sentenced for 2024 NE Medford Shooting

Medford, Oregon- Elijah Zeigler, 21, was sentenced to 50 months in prison after pleading guilty to Attempted Assault in the First Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon in connection with a shooting in northeast Medford in May 2024. The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office announced that Judge Markiewicz imposed the negotiated sentence, which includes three years of post-prison supervision.

According to court records, the incident stemmed from a dispute over stolen money. On May 4, 2024, Mr. Zeigler and Blake Wheeler, 25, attended a party in Ashland, where approximately $600 was stolen from Mr. Wheeler’s vehicle. He suspected Mr. Zeigler of the theft.

The following day, Mr. Zeigler sent a picture via social media showing what appeared to be the stolen money and a handgun. Blake Wheeler, his brother Zane Wheeler, 20, and friends arranged to meet Mr. Zeigler near Cedar Links Park in northeast Medford. During the encounter, Zane Wheeler reported that Mr. Zeigler pointed a shotgun at him. The incident was reported to the Medford Police Department (MPD), but Mr. Zeigler could not be located.

On May 6, 2024, Blake Wheeler was driving in the same area when he spotted an SUV resembling Mr. Zeigler’s vehicle. After turning around to confirm the vehicle’s identity, Mr. Wheeler saw Mr. Zeigler exit the SUV and fire multiple shots at his vehicle. Mr. Wheeler sped away and contacted law enforcement. MPD officers processed the scene, finding two spent shell casings and two bullet holes in Mr. Wheeler’s vehicle. No injuries were reported.

Mr. Zeigler turned himself in to MPD the next day.

During plea negotiations, both victims agreed with the proposed resolution. The District Attorney’s Office considered Mr. Zeigler’s lack of prior criminal history, his completion of treatment since the incident, and his agreement to pay restitution to both victims in reaching the agreement.

Mr. Zeigler will serve his sentence in the Oregon Department of Corrections.