Two dead, one wounded in shooting at Eugene’s Emerald Park

EUGENE, Ore. – Authorities have identified a man with a history of disputes as the shooter who killed a man, wounded another then killed himself at Eugene’s Emerald Park.

Orlando Centeno, 31, died at the park Tuesday night from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.

Witnesses told the Register-Guard that the men who were shot were at a barbecue with friends when Centeno approached them after apparently fighting with a woman. One of the men confronted Centeno and was killed. Witnesses said the man who survived was shot in the arm.

Centeno was released from the Lane County Jail last week after being convicted of menacing in connection with an incident at the same park last summer.

An affidavit filed by a sheriff’s deputy in the menacing case states that Centeno was dressed in camouflage and wearing a ballistic vest when authorities contacted him outside the park.

Centeno told police he pointed a loaded, 12-gauge shotgun at a man after he had received numerous threats from men near the park.

As part of the sentence, a judge ordered Centeno not to possess or display firearms in public.

The affidavit mentions a previous stabbing near the park that involved Centeno. And sheriff’s Capt. Spence Slater told the newspaper there have been other instances of people calling in about Centeno, saying he instigated disputes.

“It’s been an ongoing thing involving him in the park,” Slater said. He added that some neighbors have told investigators that Centeno was a military veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, although authorities have not confirmed that.

Slater identified the man who was killed as 31-year-old John Mills. A vigil for him was scheduled for Wednesday night.