Man found shot dead: 'It's kind of a freaky situation'
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. -- A 73-year-old man was found shot dead in his Loon Lake area home.
On Thursday at about 10:45 a.m., Douglas County Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a deceased elderly male at 809 Soup Creek Road in Loon Lake.
Deputies found that Paul F. Coates, 73, who had died from an apparent gunshot wound at his residence.
The Douglas County Major Crimes Team was called out and is conducting the investigation.
An autopsy was scheduled for Friday.
The Sheriff's office says that no more information will be released Friday, as the investigation is ongoing.
'It's kind of a freaky situation'
Neighbor Ben Shirley got a call from a friend of Coates, asking Shirley to check in on him.
When Shirley got to the house, he called out for Coates and got no reply.
He found Coates by the front door, flat on his stomach with a pool of blood by his head.
"It was pretty gory," Shirley said.
The sheriff has only called it a "death investigation" so far, leaving Shirely concerned. He said if the sheriff suspect homicide, he would like to know for his own personal safety.
"It's kind of a freaky situation," he told KPIC News. "I don't know what to think."
Terrible! I was at Loon Lake a couple weeks ago by myself. I hope they find who did it
prayrs
We don't know him. I am so sorry to hear this happened!!
Paul F Coates
paul coates sr.
Who is it?
he was a man that didnt put up with bs and his family was wonderful he was soft spoken at times but he was also one hard worker and so were his kids.
wow i know this family and mr coates my prayers go out to him and his family
Whoa!