Christopher Jimenez, right, accused of attempted murder last spring when he fired a gun at another man at a Central Point skate park, pleads guilty to reduced charges and was sentenced to three years probation Thursday in Jackson County Circuit Court.  

A Grants Pass man who tried to kill another man last spring at a Central Point skate park pleaded guilty Thursday to reduced charges and was sentenced to three years’ probation.

Christopher Eduardo Jimenez, 21, originally pleaded not guilty to attempt to commit any degree of murder or aggravated murder; first-degree assault; robbery; unlawful use of a weapon; and menacing in connection to shooting a male victim in the parking area of Tanzi Skate Park on April 2, 2023. The robbery charge was later dropped, according to court records.

At a hearing in Jackson County Circuit Court, Judge Jeremy Markiewicz accepted the terms of a plea deal in which Jimenez pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon. The other charges were dropped.

Jimenez agreed to three years of probation instead of spending three years in prison, though he could be sent there if he violates any conditions. These include counseling as deemed appropriate by his probation officer, a ban on owning firearms, no contact with the victim and paying $20,860.85 in restitution.

Jimenez’s defense attorney, Shawn Kollie, told the court that the plea deal was “a just and equitable resolution in the case.”

Kollie added that Jimenez has no prior criminal history and wants to take responsibility for his actions.

Prosecutors said the victim went to the skate park to buy or sell marijuana. During the drug-buy, he got in Jimenez’s car. When the victim got out, there was a “commotion,” followed by Jimenez firing a gun at him. Jimenez fled the scene and was arrested a day later at his Grants Pass home.

Kollie told the court that the victim had come to the park to buy marijuana from Jimenez. The victim then allegedly attempted to rob Jimenez at gunpoint from the backseat of the vehicle, Kollie said. Once the victim exited, Jimenez discharged a firearm, believing the victim would harm him, according to Kollie. The victim was hit several times.

“Thank God the victim lived,” Kollie said.

Jimenez, dressed in a suit, told Markiewicz he had no statement to make.

“You have nothing to say?” the judge asked Jimenez before telling him he was “fortunate” the victim was not killed. “That looks a lot different than what you’re getting here today,” Markiewicz said.

Markiewicz told Jimenez he had to follow the terms of his probation or “I’m going to revoke you and send you to prison.”

“You have no business being out in society shooting guns,” the judge said.

Kollie said in an interview afterward that it is common in self-defense cases for defendants not to offer a statement.

Jimenez declined to comment to the press as he left the court with his family.