Story Published:
Mar 31, 2009 at 10:04 AM PST
Story Updated:
Mar 31, 2009 at 10:04 AM PST
Police cited Michael Dunagin, Teondre Williams and Cedric Crittle on suspicion of shooting pellet guns at ducks and geese in Alton Baker Park Monday night. (Photos from GoDucks.com)
EUGENE, Ore. -- Police cited three freshmen Ducks basketball players Monday night on suspicion of shooting pellet guns at ducks and geese in Alton Baker Park.
Police cited Michael R. Dunigan, 19; Teondre Javon Williams, 19; and Cedric Josh Crittle, 19, on suspicion of violating park rules against discharging pellet guns and hunting in Eugene city parks.
All three are freshmen members of the University of Oregon basketball team. Dunigan is the 6-10 starting center for the Ducks; Williams is a 6-4 guard; and Crittle is a 6-8 forward.
Police received a report of three men shooting in Alton Baker Park at 11:08 p.m. Monday night.
Officers arrived and watched the trio shoot about 20 rounds from what was determined to be a pellet gun.
The three headed toward the restrooms, and officers saw Dunagin throw up his hands, followed by a splash. Officers later recovered a gun from the pond. Two other pellet guns were located elsewhere, police said.
City park rules prohibit hunting and firearms in city parks, including pellet guns.
The base fine for the violation is $155. The violation is a misdemeanor with the same fine structure as having an open container of alcohol in the park, according to police.
Park rule 1.015 Hunting and Firearms.
(1) In a park or open space area, no person may:
(a) Hunt, pursue, trap, kill, injure, molest, or disturb any wildlife.
(b) Discharge a firearm, pellet gun, bow and arrow, slingshot, or
other weapon capable of injuring a person or wildlife.
(2) Notwithstanding Subsection (1) of this section, persons may hunt
migratory water fowl in a park or open space located outside of the
City limits that is being leased by a private party for agricultural
purposes if permission to hunt the migratory water fowl has been
granted by the lease holder.
(3) City staff or staff from other wildlife management agencies are
exempt from Subsection (1) of this section when performing authorized
duties of their position.