A burst of gunfire shattered the peace of a Tuesday evening in Eugene, Oregon, on April 12, 2016, leaving two men dead and another wounded in a violent encounter at Emerald Park. John David "Jonny" Mills, a 28-year-old White male from the Eugene/Springfield area, was identified as one of the fatalities in what authorities would later describe as a murder-suicide.
Remembered as a passionate skateboarder since the age of eight, Mills was a well-known figure in the local skating community, often mentoring younger enthusiasts.
The tragic events unfolded in the northwest Eugene park, a place typically filled with the sounds of recreation. On that evening, however, it became a scene of chaos and violence. The Lane County Sheriff's Office reported that one man shot Mills and injured another before turning the gun on himself. The shooter's death was ruled a suicide. The third man who was injured in the shooting was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
In the aftermath, those who knew John Mills painted a picture of a confident and kind-hearted young man who was deeply devoted to his family and friends. He was described as a peacemaker, someone who would actively try to resolve conflicts without violence. He was a father to a son and a daughter and was remembered for his love of the outdoors, including skiing and hiking. His family and friends mourned the loss of a man who they said lived each day to the fullest and was always there for those he cared about. As the investigation into the shooting concluded that the perpetrator had taken his own life, there were no ensuing arrests in connection with the death of John Mills.
