Gunshot Victim Identified As Skinhead

A man who was gunned down in a park was identified Wednesday as a 23-year-old Albany, Ore., resident who belonged to a group of skinheads called the American Front.

William Jason Mowdy, 23, was killed in Bush Park in Salem at 8:37 p.m. Tuesday, said police Lt. Roger Vinyard.

He was identified through police records that contained photographs of him and descriptions of his tattoos.

Mowdy died from at least one gunshot wound to the chest while he was on a walking path near some tennis courts. He was wearing Doc Marten boots and camouflage clothing, typical skinhead garb.

Mowdy’s friends told police they were walking through the park when they met a man and hostile words were exchanged.

The man pulled out a handgun, fired at Mowdy and ran away.