Ashland Police and a Jackson County Crime Unit began investigating a homicide yesterday morning.
On September 7th, at 3:38 AM, Ashland Police Officers and Paramedics from Ashland Fire & Rescue were dispatched to a report of a person laying on the ground next to a vehicle near ‘A’ Street and North 2nd Street in Ashland.
According to Ashland Police, officers arrived to find a male who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics confirmed the male was deceased upon their arrival, and a homicide investigation was initiated.
The Jackson County Major Assault/Death Investigation Unit was activated by Ashland Detectives.
The investigation has revealed the victim was inside his parked vehicle when an unidentified suspect approached and fired multiple rounds at the victim, striking him several times.
The suspect could be seen on security camera footage from nearby businesses fleeing the scene toward North Pioneer Street on ‘A’ Street following the shooting. They appeared to be wearing dark clothing.
It is not believed that this incident was random, as it appears this was a targeted attack on the victim. There is no indication of a specific public threat at this time.
The victim has been identified as 40-year-old Matthew Mark Vandersande, of Ashland.
If you have any information that you feel may be helpful to the investigation, please contact Detective Sergeant Rick Spence at 541-552-2172 or the Ashland Police Department Tip Line at 541-552-2333.
