In the quiet, early morning hours of October 29, 2018, in Cave Junction, Oregon, a dispute over a motorcycle escalated into a fatal confrontation that ended the life of 46-year-old Richard OCoyne, a White male. The events leading to his death began when O'Coyne, accompanied by an adult male passenger, drove his SUV to the R-Hogg-Farm motorcycle shop.
There, he fired a gun from his vehicle into the front of the shop.
Following this, O'Coyne proceeded to the residence of Christopher Lorne, a man with whom he had an ongoing dispute concerning the ownership of the aforementioned motorcycle. At approximately 7:30 a.m., O'Coyne parked his vehicle near the home and, while his passenger was asleep, began shouting profanities and firing a rifle at the house. Awakened by the gunfire, Lorne retrieved his own. 45 caliber pistol.
From his bedroom window, Lorne saw O'Coyne continuing his aggressive display with the rifle. In response, Lorne fired approximately four shots back at the SUV. One of these bullets struck Richard OCoyne in the head, killing him instantly at the scene. His passenger managed to exit the vehicle during the exchange of gunfire and was not injured.
An investigation into the shooting was conducted by the Oregon State Police. An autopsy performed on O'Coyne revealed the presence of methamphetamine, cyclobenzaprine, cannabinoids, and LSD in his system. After reviewing the evidence, including the circumstances of the confrontation and the ongoing property dispute, the District Attorney concluded that Christopher Lorne had acted in self-defense. Consequently, no arrests were made in connection with the death of Richard OCoyne.
