Linn County, OR. — Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with the October 4, 2025, homicide of Christopher Smith, which occurred in a parking lot near Highway 34 and Peoria Road, east of Corvallis.
Steve Dwayne Simmons Jr., 44, of Albany, was arrested on October 17 by members of the Linn County Regional SWAT Team at a Geary Street urgent care facility. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Simmons attempted to flee but was apprehended after a short pursuit. He was booked into the Linn County Jail and later indicted by a Grand Jury on charges including Murder in the First Degree, Murder in the Second Degree, Robbery in the First Degree, and two counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
A second suspect, Joshua Edward Gabell, 41, of Corvallis, was also indicted on charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Robbery in the First Degree. Gabell has been in custody since October 10 on an unrelated parole violation.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office credited assistance from Oregon State University Public Safety, the Albany Police Department, the Corvallis Police Department, and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Linn County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (866) 557-9988.
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