George Wasson, an elder from the
Coquille Tribe of Oregon, was killed on Wednesday in a bizarre crime spree that ended in California with the death of the suspect.
Authorities said Wasson, 79, was shot and killed inside his home in Eugene, Oregon, before his home was set on fire. His body was found inside.
"I couldn't get near the house. It was ablaze," neighbor Svevo Brooks, who heard an explosion before the fire, told The Eugene Register-Guard.
Authorities believe Ricardo Chaney, 32, was responsible for Wasson's death and the fire. Shortly after it started, they say he kidnapped and carjacked two men at gunpoint in Eugene.
The men were able to escape.
A few hours later, Chaney was in California and was involved a shootout with a Menocino County deputy who was killed. Another officer fired back and fatally shot Chaney.
Wasson was a retired University of Oregon professor.
Get the Story:
Police say Chaney crime spree began with killing of Eugene resident found in fire
(The Eugene Register-Guard 3/20)
Body found after fire at Fairmount residence
(The Eugene Register-Guard 3/20)
Eugene carjacking suspect killed California deputy in deadly shootout
(KPTV/AP 3/20)
Man suspected of killing Mendocino County deputy linked to Oregon fire, shooting death
(The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat 3/20)
Police: Man who killed Mendocino County deputy linked to second death
(The Los Angeles Times 3/20)
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