An autopsy report has debunked the statement of Robert Paul Keegan, the Oregon man who claimed to use self-defense when he shot and killed a Black teenager named Aidan Ellison during a dispute over loud music.

According to Oregon Live, Keegan said the 19-year-old punched him in the face during the confrontation in the early morning of Nov. 23. Making his claim in an affidavit, the suspect said he “racked a round and shot Ellison in the chest because he was in fear for his personal safety.”

The autopsy report, however, didn't find any injuries to Ellison’s hands “that would have been indicative of him punching Keegan.” Medical examiners also said Keegan’s face didn't show visible signs of injuries.

As Blavity previously reported, the incident began around 4 a.m. in the parking lot of the Stratford Inn in the downtown area of Ashland, Oregon. The 47-year-old woke up to loud music and asked Ellison to turn it down, but the teenager refused, the court stated.

Keegan “collected his gun” and went to complain to hotel employee, Angel Carlin, the affidavit states. While Carlin went to the parking lot to address the young man, Keegan intervened and “confronted Ellison.” About 30 minutes after the dispute began, Keegan shot a 9mm handgun into Ellison’s chest, piercing his heart and lungs, court documents stated.

Police arrested the shooter when they arrived and found the 19-year-old dead, suffering from a single gunshot wound to his chest. Keegan, who is being held without bail until his next court date on Feb. 22, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, reckless endangering and unlawful possession of a weapon.

The Ashland Oregon Police Department issued a statement of clarification after facing backlash for its initial remarks on the incident, which explained that the shooting resulted from an argument over loud music.

"It has been reported in some local media sources that I said this murder was 'because of' something," Ashland Police Chief Tighe O'Meara wrote on Facebook. "The only thing that caused this murder was suspect's actions, 100% . It is completely immaterial what led up to it. I cannot control how the local media sources represent the words I give them. Yes, there was an argument over music, no, this did not happen because of loud music, it happened because the suspect chose to bring a gun with him and chose to use it, 100% on him, not the poor young man that was murdered."

I need to offer a clarification in reference to the horrendous murder that occurred on Monday morning. It has been…

Posted by Ashland Oregon Police Department on Thursday, November 26, 2020

According to Fox26, the community came together in the Stratford Inn parking lot on Thanksgiving to honor the young Black man.

“I could tell you all the stereotypical stuff. He was special, he was kind he was a great guy, but he was so much more than that. He had nothing, but yet even if he had something he would give it to you no questions asked,” Sunmoon Oh, a friend of Ellison, said. “I see all these posts saying RIP Aiden and my heart dropped. I didn’t go to work that day, I barely ate anything that day, I just kinda sat on my bed and cried."

The death of Ellison is reminiscent of the killing of Jordan Davis, who died in 2012 after a dispute over loud music. As Blavity previously reported, 47-year-old Michael Dunn shot the 17-year-old during the confrontation at a Florida gas station. 

Aidan-EllisonAshland, OregonBlack-lives-matterJordan DavisRobert-Keegan