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Memorial Vandalized; Father's Plea for Forgiveness
17 Jan
Summary
- Man cited for theft after vandalizing memorial for teen Easton Bounds.
- Memorial items including a cross, helmet, and jerseys were stolen.
- Father of the deceased teen expressed forgiveness despite the theft.
A man has been cited for theft in Eugene for allegedly stealing and vandalizing a memorial dedicated to 13-year-old Easton Bounds. The memorial, located at the intersection where Bounds died in a car crash on December 7, 2024, was targeted by 57-year-old Mitchell Edwin Wofford. Items such as a cross, football jersey, and footballs were taken.
Easton's father, Steve Bounds, reported the theft on January 12, 2026, after reviewing camera footage showing a white van involved. He later shared a message of forgiveness on social media, stating Easton would not want anger held. The vandalized cross was returned the next day with a message, but it was irreparable.
Neighbors intervened on January 15, 2026, when they observed Wofford attempting to interfere with a newly placed cross. They gathered his license plate information, leading to a traffic stop and his citation for theft. While the cross was recovered, other personal items from the memorial are still missing.
