A body was found in the parking lot of the Umpqua Dairy facility at 2640 Ocean Boulevard in Coos Bay on December 12, 2023. Police were called at 6:24 a.m. and arrived three minutes later; the victim was identified as 56-year-old William Averill of Coos Bay after next of kin were notified. Averill was found with an apparent gunshot wound, and investigators believe the shooting occurred shortly before the call.

Police located Averill’s vehicle, a silver 2003 Dodge Dakota with Oregon plate ZJM817, parked along Highway 38 about five miles west of Elkton. The probe uncovered that Averill and two others had gone to the North Bend residence of Kelton Dickens where they attempted to rob him during what investigators describe as a drug-related incident. Dickens reportedly grabbed a gun and fired at the vehicle, wounding Averill; the group then drove to the Umpqua Dairy lot and left Averill on the ground before getting help. By the time paramedics arrived, Averill had died.

Multiple agencies are involved in the investigation. Are there witnesses who saw any part of the incident near North Bend or along Highway 38 that morning?