Linn County Sheriff’s detectives arrested two people in connection to the homicide of Christopher Smith, 30, of Albany, which occurred in a parking lot at the intersection of Highway 34 and Peoria Road, east of Corvallis on Oct. 4, Sheriff Michelle Duncan has reported.
Steve Dwayne Simmons Jr., 44, of Albany, was arrested on Oct. 17 by members of the Linn County Regional SWAT Team at the Geary Street Urgent Care located at the intersection of Queen Avenue SE and Geary Street in Albany. Simmons attempted to flee law enforcement but was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. Simmons was transported to the Linn County Jail and charged with second-degree murder.
On Oct. 22, detectives presented their investigation to the Linn County Grand Jury.
As a result, Simmons was indicted on first- and second-degree murder, first-degree roberry and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm.
The Linn County Grand Jury also indicted Joshua Edward Gabell, 41, of Corvallis, on second-degree murder and first-degree robbery charges.
Gabell has been in custody at the Linn County Jail since Oct. 10, when he was lodged for an unrelated parole violation.
The case dates back to the morning of Oct. 4, when the Linn County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 call for a crash near Peoria Road and Highway 34, in Linn County near Corvallis in Linn County. The Corvallis Fire Department arrived at the reported crash location prior to law enforcement’s arrival. As the Corvallis Fire Department began rendering aid to the single occupant of the vehicle, a gray 2013 Chevrolet Camaro, they determined he had been shot. The Corvallis Fire Department attempted lifesaving efforts, but the single occupant, later identified as Christopher Joseph Smith, 30, died at the scene of the crash.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in their investigation by the Oregon State University Public Safety Department, the Albany Police Department, the Corvallis Police Department, and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Linn County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (866) 557-9988.