Eugene, Oregon – A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for the shooting death of Stephen Forrest, 32, at a 7-Eleven in Eugene in September 2023. Jaisi Savath was found guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon by a Lane County jury last week.
Before the trial, Savath had pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm. The crime occurred when officers from the Eugene Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at the 7-Eleven and found Forrest, a store worker, with life-threatening injuries. Unfortunately, Forrest later succumbed to his injuries at a local medical center.
During the trial, witnesses and investigators testified about the events leading up to the shooting. Surveillance footage showed Savath’s interaction with Forrest at the counter before the violence erupted. The footage revealed a confrontation between the two, leading to Savath firing multiple shots into the store through the front window.
Savath testified that he believed he was being shot at by Forrest, prompting him to react with deadly force. However, it was later determined that what Forrest was holding was a pepper gel, not a firearm. Despite this revelation, Savath maintained that he acted out of fear for his safety.
The jury deliberated and ultimately found Savath guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. Additionally, he received a concurrent five-year sentence for unlawful use of a weapon.
The tragic incident at the 7-Eleven serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of violence. The conviction of Savath highlights the importance of accountability in such cases and seeks to bring justice to the victim and his family. As the community grapples with this senseless act, efforts to prevent future tragedies are more critical than ever.