Robert Alan Church, a 54-year-old father of five, was a man who, according to his daughter, "loved his children more than anything in the world." Remembered as "one of a kind," his life was centered around his family, which included raising two foster children at the time of his death. His sudden and shocking passing left his family grappling with an immense emotional and financial burden they were in no way prepared for.
On the evening of Saturday, October 10, 2026, that life was cut
tragically short inside his own home. At approximately 5:48 p.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center received a 911 call reporting a shooting at a residence in the 24000 block of Springer Road, a rural area about nine miles south of Sweet Home, Oregon. When deputies and paramedics from the Sweet Home Fire Department arrived, they found Robert suffering from a single gunshot wound. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, he died at the scene.
Investigators quickly determined that Robert had been struck by a stray bullet, one they believe was fired by a hunter in the vicinity of his home. Evidence at the scene suggested the hunter had shot and partially field-dressed a deer on Springer Road before leaving the area with the carcass. The rural neighborhood is a frequent destination for hunting, and residents noted the need for hunters to be cautious about their surroundings and what lies beyond their targets.
The Linn County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Michelle Duncan, launched an investigation into the fatal shooting. Officials stated they do not believe the firearm was intentionally discharged toward the home and have urged the person responsible to come forward to provide closure for Robert's family. It was not clear to investigators whether the hunter was even aware that their bullet had struck Robert in his residence. The investigation is being handled by Detective Derek Klein.
In the wake of the tragedy, Robert's family was left to navigate their grief and the unexpected costs associated with his death. His daughter, Shyanne, started a GoFundMe campaign titled “Easing the Burden for Robert’s Family” to help with expenses. She wrote, "His death was sudden, shocking, and impossible for our family to prepare for. Robert's life was taken because someone who was hunting was not mindful and shot toward a home." The fundraiser was intended to cover moving and storage fees for his belongings, travel costs for relatives, and memorial expenses, as his father was only able to cover the cost of cremation. The community responded with support, quickly surpassing the initial fundraising goal.
As of October 2026, the investigation remains active. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to identify the hunter. They have appealed to anyone who was in the area of Springer Road, accessed from Upper Calapooia Drive or Childers Drive near Brush Creek Road, on the evening of October 10th. Investigators are seeking any information regarding vehicles seen parked along the road, anyone seen with a deer, the sound of gunshots around that time, or any footage from trail cameras or home surveillance systems in the area. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Derek Klein at 541-967-3950.
