Early Wednesday morning, September 23rd, at about 5:54 am, fire and police personnel were dispatched just before 6:00 am for a small fire next to a residence on Crater Lake Avenue. A passer-by saw a small fire on the side of the house and extinguished it with water, while also calling 911.
Medford Fire Department responded and alerted the occupants of the house who did not know who started the fire, which was highly suspicious for arson. Officers and fire eventually cleared the scene.
At about 7:51 am, officers were dispatched back to the residence for an assault. Officers arrived and found the 61-year-old victim had sustained injuries after being attacked by 25-year-old family member, Jeffrey Aaron Moore. The victim reported Moore attacked her with a knife and a hammer, which were consistent with her injuries.
The investigation revealed the victim confronted the suspect for starting the fire, which he admitted to. The suspect then armed himself with a knife and a hammer and attacked the victim.
The victim was transported to the hospital where she was treated and later released.
Officers initially believed the suspect was inside his bedroom, still armed and refusing to come out, and after learning he had fled prior to arrival the suspect was eventually located the walking near N. Phoenix Road.
Jeffrey Aaron Moore was then taken into custody without incident and lodged in jail on charges of two separate counts of Assault and Attempted Arson.
