Robert Gavin Bowers Transferred to Oregon State Hospital Following 2025 Sentencing for 2021 Stabbing Assault



Salem, OR – April 10, 2025 Robert Gavin Bowers, the suspect in a violent stabbing assault that took place on Thanksgiving Day in 2021, has been transferred to the Oregon State Hospital (OSH) today, following his sentencing on March 20, 2025. Bowers was found guilty except for insanity on charges of Assault in the First Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon, stemming from the 2021 incident in Lane County, Oregon.
The Oregon State Hospital, a public psychiatric facility located in Salem, the state’s capital, with a smaller satellite campus in Junction City opened in 2014, will now oversee Bowers’ care. He has been committed to the jurisdiction of the Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) for a maximum period of 20 years, with credit for prior time spent at OSH and time served in custody since December 3, 2021.
The 2021 Incident and Arrest
The case dates back to Thanksgiving Day 2021, when Bowers, then a suspect, became involved in a verbal altercation with two individuals riding an ATV in Lane County. According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office press release issued on December 3, 2021, Bowers attacked the pair with a knife, slashing the male victim in the abdomen and face and stabbing the female victim in the face. Both victims, who were unknown to Bowers, survived the attack and have been recovering from their injuries.
Following the assault, the Florence Police Department received a tip from a citizen on December 3, 2021, indicating that Bowers was at a storage facility in the 3300 block of Hwy. 101. Officers responded swiftly, detaining Bowers without incident and transferring him to the custody of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. Later that day, at 11:27 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Bowers had been lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges of Assault in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the Florence Police Department, Oregon State Police, and the community for their cooperation, noting that the collective effort was crucial in safely apprehending the suspect. At the time, detectives were still working to determine a motive for the attack, and further updates on charges were promised.
Sentencing and Legal Outcome
On March 20, 2025, Judicial Officer Charles M. Zennache` oversaw Bowers’ disposition and sentencing. Bowers was found guilty except for insanity on two counts: Assault in the First Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Charges of Assault in the Second Degree and Attempt to Commit Any Degree of Murder or Aggravated Murder were dismissed.
For both counts, Bowers was placed at the Oregon State Hospital and committed to the jurisdiction of the PSRB for a maximum of 20 years. He will receive credit for time served in custody since November 29, 2021, as well as any prior commitments at OSH. The ruling reflects the court’s determination that Bowers’ mental state at the time of the offense warranted a finding of guilty except for insanity, a legal outcome that prioritizes psychiatric treatment over traditional incarceration.
A New Chapter at Oregon State Hospital
Bowers’ transfer to the Oregon State Hospital marks the latest development in a case that has spanned over three years. The hospital, which serves as Oregon’s primary psychiatric facility, provides care for individuals with severe mental health conditions, including those involved in the criminal justice system. With its main campus in Salem and a smaller facility in Junction City, OSH is equipped to manage Bowers’ treatment under the oversight of the PSRB, which will monitor his progress and determine the duration of his commitment based on his mental health and public safety considerations.
The 2021 stabbing incident left a lasting impact on the victims and the Lane County community, but authorities hope that Bowers’ transfer to OSH will provide a path toward rehabilitation while ensuring public safety. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office and the Florence Police Department continue to emphasize the importance of community cooperation in resolving such cases, as demonstrated by the critical role that citizen tips played in Bowers’ arrest over three years ago.
As of today, no further updates on Bowers’ condition or the ongoing investigation into the 2021 incident have been released. The focus now shifts to his treatment at OSH, where he will remain under the jurisdiction of the PSRB for the foreseeable future.

Information from Lane County Jail records, Oregon Judicial Department online records Smart Search, and the Lane County Sheriff's Department

Michael Weber, known for his extensive coverage of crime news in Lane County, continues to provide valuable updates to the local community. He runs the largest crime watch group in Lane County, Lane County Mugshots Uncensored, which currently has over 86,400 members. Support for local journalism is essential, and donations can be made via Venmo to @Michael-Weber-379 (last four digits of phone number: 0825).

You can also follow me on X: https://x.com/MugshotMike541

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