On the early morning of July 27, 2018, Jesse Swift, 28, and 28-year-old Matthew J. Cortez of Cave Junction were found dead from gunshot wounds along the Redwood Highway near Reeves Creek Road in the Kerby area of southern Oregon. Oregon State Police initially responded to what was thought to be a vehicle crash before discovering the shootings.

Investigators identified Jesse McCrea of Selma as the person who fired the shots; he arrived at the scene shortly after law enforcement. The Josephine County grand jury heard testimony, including McCrea’s, and declined to indict him on homicide charges. The District Attorney concluded there was insufficient evidence to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt that McCrea acted in self-defense; he was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants but not with homicide.

Swift and Cortez were remembered as standout football players and wrestlers at Illinois Valley High School, with Swift a state wrestling champion in 2007 and 2008. Does anyone have information about the events that led to the confrontation that night?