On Tuesday, May 15 at approximately 8:05 p.m. the Lincoln City Police Department responded to a report of an assault in the parking lot of the Ashley Inn, 3430 NE Highway 101. Officers arriving at the scene found Jay Cole, 69, of Milwaukie, seriously injured and unconscious.
Roland Evans-Freke, 30, a transient, was detained and later lodged at the Lincoln County Jail for murder in the second degree, assault in the second degree, and robbery in the second degree.
LCPD Officers, North Lincoln Fire and Rescue, and Pacific West Ambulance provided medical care to Cole, but were unable to resuscitate him. Cole was pronounced deceased at the scene.
At this time there is no reason to believe there is any danger to the public.
We will continue to release additional information as the investigation unfolds. Anyone with any information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Weaver at 541-994-3636.
One more reason to not cater and attract these types.
Totally agree. You see all these advocates for the homeless, but your hear nothing when this happens other than a feeble “its only a small percentage”. Guy had an arrest a year ago, but good old catch and release.
Maybe some of you bleeding hearts will think a title harder when you read this sad story. My heart goes out for this family. I am so sorry r your loss. Stop encouraging the homeless by giving them money. Let the state and the police take care of this terrible problem.
And Lincoln County commissioners and Housing Authority, etc., want homeless shelters in Lincoln County? Protect the tourists and the residents and don’t purchase property or waste the taxpayers money for homeless housing. The transients need mental help, not housing. By providing housing, you’re enabling them. It will ruin quality of life for everyone and the tourists will quit visiting. I’m sorry for the loss of your husband, dad, and grandfather. He sounded like a nice man.
We were at this place the day this happened. I walked my dog alone. My heart is with that poor man’s family
It is very tragic what happened. A good man was lost. It is incorrect though that he was a transient. Both men were staying at the hotel. It seems to me this is more a mental health issue. Looking the guy up he had 4 of the same charge over in Deschutes County. He is obviously mentally ill. Why wasn’t treatment required after 4 of the same charge?
My condolences to the family of the deceased. The people who have leapt from this single incident to declaring all unhoused irredeemable and unworthy of assistance should search a bit harder to find their compassion. They seem to have lost their ability to walk in someone else’s shoes, instead running quickly to judgement of those less fortunate. Iencourage you to find your soul before its too late.