In the early morning hours of November 23, 2018, a disturbance at an apartment complex in Grants Pass, Oregon, shattered the holiday calm. Officers from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety responded to a 911 call reporting a dispute involving a firearm. Upon their arrival shortly after 3 a.m., they discovered a tragic scene. Two men were found deceased, their lives cut short by gun violence.
One of the victims was identified as Justin Scott Severnak, a 38-year-old Caucasian male
from Salt Lake City, Utah. The other man was 42-year-old Christopher Wayne Lyon. Both men were tragically killed in what was determined to be a double homicide. The incident left friends and family in a state of shock and disbelief, struggling to understand the sudden and violent loss of their loved ones. Tributes poured in on social media, remembering Severnak as a loving father, husband, son, and brother with a charismatic personality and a great sense of humor. He was remembered for his passion for cooking, especially his "mean BBQ," and his willingness to help anyone in need.
In the immediate aftermath of the shootings, law enforcement detained a third man who was present at the scene. This individual was later identified as 44-year-old Trevor A. Gilmore of Grants Pass. Following an initial investigation, Gilmore was arrested in connection with the deaths of Severnak and Lyon. He was subsequently charged with two counts of aggravated murder and unlawful use of a firearm. The Josephine County District Attorney's Office and Oregon State Police assisted in the investigation into the double homicide.
