MEDFORD, Ore. (Sep. 1, 2026) — Two men have been charged in connection with a drive-by shooting that damaged a residence in northeast Medford, police said.
The Medford Police Department received a report Aug. 20 that a residence in the 3000 block of Carnelian Street had been damaged by gunfire during the previous night. Investigators determined that a bullet struck a window at the residence and used video evidence to identify a vehicle believed to have been involved, police said.
The residence had previously been targeted in drive-by shootings on July 26 and July 27, 2025. During that investigation, detectives developed probable cause to arrest 31-year-old Joel Matthew Caswell. Caswell was arrested Aug. 27, 2025, and remains in custody, police said.
As part of the current investigation, detectives determined that Caswell was associated with 50-year-old Phillip Leo Muradanes. Investigators also identified Muradanes as being associated with a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle believed to have been used in the Aug. 20 shooting.
Detectives located Muradanes at a local motel on Aug. 31 and took him into custody. He was lodged on allegations of unlawful use of a weapon, criminal conspiracy to commit unlawful use of a weapon and first-degree criminal mischief, as well as a Parole Board warrant.
Police said detectives developed probable cause to believe Caswell conspired with Muradanes in the Aug. 20 drive-by shooting.
Caswell was additionally charged Aug. 31 with unlawful use of a weapon and criminal conspiracy to commit unlawful use of a weapon, police said.
The case has been forwarded to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Police said no further information will be released at this time.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime. All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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