E.P. Man Charged in Roommate's Death

Written by Craig Smullin, Posted in Local, Posted: Thu, March 29 2012 at 5:18 PM, Updated: Thu, March 29 2012 at 5:25 PM

A community in shock. The 4th Rogue Valley handgun death in less than a week... the 3rd in Eagle Point... has one man facing manslaughter charges.
      26-year old Eagle Point resident Dylan Ashmun charged with 1st degree manslaughter after the shooting death of his roommate Joseph Faaeteete Wednesday afternoon.
   The 24-year old killed from an apparent gunshot wound.
   Wednesday's shooting stunning a quiet Eagle Point neighborhood bordering the local high school... scaring area kids.
   "I guess cause it's so close to the school. Kids walk here everyday like down the street all the time."
    Mark Bruner lives on North Buchanan, just a few houses down from the home Faaeteete shared with Ashmun.
    "We always talked, said hi, waved you know."
   Bruner knew both men in passing, neighbors exchanging pleasantries, but he never expected this on his street.
    "I mean you don't hear nothing, just birds."
   First reported as a suicide in the garage, Eagle Point P.D. first arrived at the scene... but inconsistent statements led investigators to doubt suicide.
   Ashmun clearly emotional as he  was arraigned in Jackson County Circuit Court this afternoon charged with 1st degree manslaughter and 2 counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm...  he was additionally charged with unlawful use of a weapon and pointing a firearm at another.
  "Seemed like a nice guy to me."
   Oregon State Police took over the investigation.
    They won't go into detail but said additional guns, drugs, and drug paraphernalia were found in the home.
   This isn't Ashmun's first brush with the law... he has two previous convictions for robbery and theft in the second degree.
   With bail set at 1-million dollars... he'll be back in court on the latest charges on April 3rd.
  Investigators tell me that 3 other people were at the scene and left before police arrived, 2 of them have been identified and interviewed.
   They are still looking for the 3rd person.
    If you have any information you are asked to call investigators at 541-776-6114.

About the Author

Craig Smullin

Craig Smullin is a reporter and anchor for NBC5 News at 5.

Craig grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area playing every sport his mom would drive him to. Craig attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California where he majored in Recreation Administration and Sports Management. In early 2005 he began a post-graduate internship with the NBC5 News sports department. He split his duties between news and sports.

In the spring of 2006 he began writing and producing NBC5's Tank of Gas Getaway summer travel series. In the fall of 2006, Craig was promoted to Weekend Sports Anchor, then moved from co-anchoring NBC5 News at Sunrise to NBC5 News at 5.

Craig is a dedicated Portland Trailblazer fan and enjoys snowboarding down the slopes of Mt. Ashland.

Comments (2)

  • christian beal
    christian beal
    09 August 2012 at 11:56 |

    dylan is my best friend and has been for a long time. joe was also a good friend. all i can say is crap happens... some for the good, some for worse. alchohol and dylan doesnt mix, i know that dylan has a good heart. hes taken care of me when i was in tough spots in my life. dont think dylan ashmun is a cold hearted killer, hesa great dude. RIP joe joe.

  • Joel summerhays
    Joel summerhays
    06 December 2012 at 02:17 |

    I knew Joe very well. He was a good brother, friend, and father. He was the one person I could talk to in times of need. We all love and miss him.

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