Eugene man arrested after allegedly pistol-whipping unhoused man in the head, attacking another victim and leaving firearm in dumpster downtown

Eugene, OR – Eugene police arrested a 22-year-old man after he reportedly pistol-whipped an unhoused community member and was involved in a group assault downtown early Thursday morning.

At about 2:25 a.m. Oct. 2, officers responded to East 10th Avenue and Oak Alley after receiving a report of several men assaulting an unhoused person near the stairs by the elevator at the Overpark. Police were told one of the suspects had a gun.

Officers found a victim with a large injury to the back of his head. A witness told police that Jairo Jesus Hernandez-Avila, 22, of Eugene, appeared to be intoxicated and was striking the victim with a firearm while two other men surrounded him.

According to police, Avila repeatedly dropped the firearm, but his companions encouraged him to continue. As the victim tried to walk away, he was reportedly struck in the back of the head with the gun.

The group then allegedly turned their attention to another unhoused person. That victim armed himself with a bike chain and was able to keep the group away.

The men then began leaving through Oak Alley, where another person reportedly pepper-sprayed them before police arrived.

Officers located Avila and two other men at the scene. A firearm was found inside a dumpster next to the group.

Police also located additional victims, including one person who reported that a member of the group had stomped on his head.

Avila was arrested on charges of second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and menacing.

Tyler Johnson-Lange, 21, of Eugene, was also arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.