In the quiet city of Albany, Oregon, the life of 22-year-old Joshua Johnston-Partain, a White / Caucasian male, was tragically cut short on the evening of October 10, 2021. The setting was Timber Linn Park, a place typically associated with community and recreation, which became the scene of a fatal shooting. Johnston-Partain was discovered in the parking lot suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and transported Johnston-Partain to a
local hospital for treatment. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. The Albany Police Department, with assistance from the Linn County Sheriff's Office, the Linn County District Attorney's Office, and the Benton County Sheriff's Office, immediately launched a homicide investigation into the violent incident that had disturbed the peace of their community.
The investigation led by Albany Police detectives involved following up on numerous leads, executing search warrants, and conducting interviews. Their efforts resulted in the identification and subsequent arrest of two suspects. One of the individuals taken into custody was 18-year-old Abel Sanchez-Anaya. He was located in Lane County on October 20, 2021, and was arrested without incident. Information developed by investigators indicated that Sanchez-Anaya was with another individual, Elijah Crump, at the time of the shooting. Both Sanchez-Anaya and Crump were arrested in connection with the death of Joshua Johnston-Partain. Sanchez-Anaya was charged with Murder in the Second Degree and lodged in the Linn County Jail. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Johnston-Partain's death continued as authorities worked to bring a measure of justice for the young man whose life was taken so suddenly.
