Eugene Man Arrested After Assaulting 9-Year-old Playing Ding-dong-ditch
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A 30-year-old Eugene man was arrested Saturday night after police said he chased a group of children and struck a 9-year-old with a stick. The child was taken to a hospital, and the man was booked into the Lane County Jail on second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon charges. The allegations have not been adjudicated.

A 30-year-old Eugene man was arrested Saturday night after police said he chased a group of children at a Lincoln Street apartment complex and struck a 9-year-old in the face with a stick. The child was taken to a hospital, and the man was booked into the Lane County Jail on charges of second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon, according to the Eugene Police Department.

Police identified the man as Collin McPherson Lounsbury. According to the department’s account, the 9-year-old had been playing ding-dong-ditch with other children at the apartments over several days. At one apartment, police said, Lounsbury came outside and chased the group, catching up with the child and hitting him in the face.

EPD described the object as a solid wooden stick about two feet long and 1½ inches in diameter, sharpened at one end. The report also says a witness told police that Lounsbury swung the stick at a girl in the group and missed. That account is attributed to the witness and has not been independently established in the material provided.

The 9-year-old was transported to a hospital. The police report does not provide details about the child’s injuries, treatment, or condition after the transport. EPD said Lounsbury was lodged at the Lane County Jail; the arrest charges are allegations, not findings of guilt.

At a glance
reportWhen: Arrest reported November 8, 2026; polic…
The developmentEugene police said a man was arrested after allegedly chasing children playing ding-dong-ditch and hitting a 9-year-old with a stick.

Children Were Targeted During Play

The case concerns an alleged physical assault on a 9-year-old child in a residential setting, with another child reportedly nearby. Police say the child needed transport to a hospital, though the extent of the injuries has not been disclosed. The allegations have prompted criminal charges that could be addressed through the court process.

The episode also highlights the distinction between the reported activity that preceded the encounter and the alleged response. Police said the children had been playing ding-dong-ditch over several days; that description explains the setting but does not establish any justification for the alleged use of force. Any legal conclusions will depend on evidence and court proceedings.

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Police Account of the Encounter

The incident took place at apartments on Lincoln Street in Eugene, according to EPD. The police account says the children had been playing the prank at the apartments across several days before the encounter in which Lounsbury allegedly chased them. The supplied report does not give a more specific address or say how many children were in the group.

Police described the stick’s dimensions and said it was sharpened at one end. Those details form part of the department’s account of the object involved; the source material does not include photographs, forensic findings, or a separate account from Lounsbury. EPD said the arrest followed the reported encounter and listed two charges: second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

“Police said the man chased the group, caught up with the juvenile and hit him in the face with a stick.”

— Eugene Police Department, as reported by KMTR

Injuries and Court Status Unknown

The available report does not state the nature or severity of the child’s injuries, how long the child remained at the hospital, or whether the child was later released. It also does not give the exact time of the encounter, the apartment address, or the identities and ages of the other children.

The account is based on information attributed to police and a witness. The source material does not include Lounsbury’s response, an attorney’s comment, charging documents, or a court appearance date. It is not clear whether additional charges may be filed or what evidence prosecutors will present. The charges remain allegations unless proven in court.

Court Proceedings May Clarify Details

The next developments are likely to come through court records or statements from police and prosecutors. Those records could clarify the formal allegations, the scheduled court dates, and whether the case proceeds on the two charges EPD listed. The supplied report does not identify a next hearing or provide a timeline for one.

Further information may also establish the child’s condition and provide more detail about witness accounts. Until authorities or court filings release those details, the reported sequence should be understood as EPD’s account of the incident, not a final determination of what occurred.

Key Questions

Who was arrested?

Police identified the 30-year-old Eugene man as Collin McPherson Lounsbury.

What does police say happened?

EPD said Lounsbury chased a group of children at apartments on Lincoln Street and struck a 9-year-old in the face with a stick. Police also reported that a witness said he swung at a girl and missed.

Was the child taken to a hospital?

Yes. Police said the 9-year-old was transported to a hospital. The available report does not describe the injuries or give an update on the child’s condition.

What charges does the man face?

EPD said Lounsbury was booked into the Lane County Jail on charges of second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon. These are allegations, not a finding of guilt.

When will more information be available?

The source report does not list a court date or a time for further updates. Court filings or later statements from police and prosecutors may provide more information.

Source: nbc16.com

Parenting content here is informational. For medical questions about your child, consult a pediatrician.
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