In the quiet community of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, a life was tragically cut short on December 7, 2024. Damion Sumner, a 29-year-old Caucasian male from the nearby town of Dillard, was killed in an act of violence that evening. Remembered as a fun, outgoing, and happy individual who was deeply devoted to his family and friends, his sudden death sent ripples of shock and grief through those who knew him.
The events of that fateful Saturday afternoon began to unfold around 1:35 p.m.
at the Rivers West RV Park. Reports of a physical disturbance and the sound of gunfire prompted a swift response from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Upon arrival, deputies discovered Damion Sumner on Booth Ranch Road, just south of the RV park, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite the immediate medical aid provided by the deputies and a Myrtle Creek Police Officer at the scene, Sumner succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
In the wake of the shooting, law enforcement quickly apprehended a suspect. Daniel Hetrick, a 22-year-old resident of Myrtle Creek, was taken into custody without incident in the vicinity of the crime scene. Hetrick was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon and was lodged at the Douglas County Jail.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sumner's death was handed over to the Douglas County Major Crimes Team. This collaborative team, comprised of detectives from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department, and Oregon State Police, along with members of the Douglas County District Attorney's Office, continues to piece together the events that led to the tragic shooting. The Cow Creek Tribal Police are also assisting in the ongoing investigation. As the legal process moves forward, the community is left to mourn the loss of a young man whose life was taken too soon.
