Three Oregon freshman basketball players were cited Monday night for shooting at geese and ducks at Eugene’s Alton Baker Park and have since been released, a Eugene police spokeswoman said.
The three, Cedric Josh Crittle, Michael Dunigan and Teondre Williams, all 19, will appear in Eugene Municipal Court on April 14 for the misdemeanor charges.
“As far was we’re concerned, the investigation is over,” police spokeswoman Jenna LaBounty said.
A report of illegal hunting came in to the police at 11:08 p.m. Monday night and when six officers arrived to the park soon after they found Crittle shooting 20 BBs toward the pond.
One officer’s police report said Dunigan threw his BB gun into the pond as officers arrived, where the weapon was recovered. A third BB gun was found, but the report was unclear as to where it was discovered.
It is unknown whether any ducks or geese were injured.
A statement from Oregon head coach Ernie Kent said, ““This incident is a very serious matter. Although these three young men realize that it was a foolish mistake on their part, there are still consequences that they will have to face. We are still in the information gathering process.”
Earlier, Tuesday, the Oregon athletic department released a statement saying, “The University of Oregon Athletic Department is cooperating with law enforcement and investigating the charges levied against three varsity men’s basketball players. There will be no further comment until more details are available.”
LaBounty said it is “relatively uncommon” to have reports of people firing weapons in Alton Baker Park.
“It’s not something unheard of and in the various parks in Eugene you’ll get reports of this,” LaBounty said.
— Andrew Greif
