A Grants Pass Police Department investigation into the assault of a juvenile girl has resulted in the arrest of three juveniles and the referral of charges against two others following an incident in which the victim was struck by gel beads fired from a passing vehicle.
The investigation began on July 12 after officers responded to a report of an assault near Northeast Jackson Street. According to the Grants Pass Police Department, the victim was walking in the area when she was struck multiple times by gel beads. Officers determined she had sustained numerous injuries to her back during the incident.
As detectives began gathering evidence and interviewing those involved, investigators determined that several juveniles inside a passing vehicle were connected to the assault. The vehicle left the area immediately after the incident, prompting a follow up investigation that continued over the following days.
Police announced this week that the investigation has now concluded with three juveniles taken into custody and two others referred to the Josephine County Juvenile Department.
A 16 year old boy, a 15 year old boy and a 13 year old boy were arrested and lodged at the Josephine County Juvenile Justice Center. Each faces allegations of assault, disorderly conduct and criminal conspiracy.
In addition, police referred allegations against a 16 year old girl and an 11 year old boy to the Josephine County Juvenile Department. Those referrals involve the same alleged offenses of assault, disorderly conduct and criminal conspiracy.
The Grants Pass Police Department has declined to release the names of any of the juveniles involved because of their ages and said no additional identifying information will be made public.
While the department has confirmed the investigation is complete, investigators have not released additional details surrounding the circumstances leading up to the incident or whether the juveniles involved were acquainted with the victim before the assault. Police have also not disclosed how detectives identified those believed to have participated or how many people were inside the vehicle at the time of the incident.
The investigation centered on allegations that the victim was intentionally targeted while walking through the neighborhood. Officers documented injuries consistent with being struck repeatedly by gel beads before turning the case over to detectives for further investigation.
The charges and referrals conclude the criminal investigation conducted by the Grants Pass Police Department. Any further proceedings involving the juveniles will take place through Oregon’s juvenile justice system, where cases involving minors are generally handled outside of public view.
The Grants Pass Police Department has indicated that no further information regarding the identities of the juveniles or the status of the juvenile proceedings will be released. As a result, the case is expected to remain subject to the confidentiality requirements that govern juvenile matters in Oregon.
The investigation represents one of the more significant juvenile cases recently handled by the department, involving multiple alleged participants and resulting in both arrests and referrals after detectives completed their review of the evidence. With the investigation now closed, the matter moves from law enforcement to the juvenile court process, where the allegations will be addressed under Oregon law.