Rogue River Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Fatal 2020 Shooting

Rogue River, Oregon- A local man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison following a fatal shooting that occurred in November 2020 on a hemp farm located on East Evans Creek Road, according to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

Joshua Robert Miller, 39, pleaded guilty to two counts of Manslaughter in the First Degree and two counts of Abuse of a Corpse in the Second Degree. The plea stems from the deaths of Shane Roork and Duane Roork, who were shot and killed by Miller on November 4, 2020.

Law enforcement responded to the scene after receiving reports of gunfire. Deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Rogue River Police Department arrived at the property, where witnesses identified Miller as the shooter. Witnesses also reported that Miller had removed the victims’ bodies from the scene.

The Jackson County Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) was activated to assist in the investigation. The unit includes personnel from the Oregon State Police, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Medford Police Department, Central Point Police Department, Ashland Police Department, and the District Attorney’s Office. SWAT teams were deployed, and the U.S. Marshals Service assisted in the search for the armed suspect.

Miller was located and taken into custody at a nearby residence in the early hours of November 6, 2020.

Investigators learned that the Roorks had arrived at the property that afternoon to retrieve personal belongings. According to witness accounts, Miller became agitated by their presence and by the arrival of a second vehicle. Witnesses described a verbal dispute over money between Miller and Duane Roork, after which Miller reportedly opened fire, killing both men and firing at the second vehicle as it fled.

Miller left the scene with the victims’ bodies in a utility vehicle and did not notify law enforcement. The bodies were discovered the next day on Bureau of Land Management property approximately half a mile away.

In an interview with investigators, Miller claimed he believed he was under threat from the Roorks and thought others present were armed. He said he acted in self-defense.

The District Attorney’s Office noted that the presence of conflicting witness statements and other uncertainties in the case complicated efforts to disprove Miller’s self-defense claim, which would have been required for a conviction at trial.

As part of his sentence, Miller will serve 20 years in prison followed by three years of Post-Prison Supervision. He was also ordered to pay restitution for funeral expenses. The victims’ family was consulted during the resolution of the case.