Video shows a single figure approaching victim’s vehicle immediately before shooting; police urge public to come forward with any information
Ashland.news staff report
Law enforcement officials have released security footage of a person approaching the vehicle of an Ashland man immediately before he was shot dead early on Sunday, Sept. 7, in his vehicle near A and North Second Streets.
The Ashland Police Department posted the footage from a nearby security camera to its Facebook page on Wednesday, Sept. 17. The 14-second video shows a single figure dressed in dark clothing walking up to Matthew Mark “Oostburg” Vandersande’s van moments before the shooting on A Street. (Note: Official records use the spelling Vandersande; family members prefer Vander Sande.)
The footage — filmed from behind and from several feet away — does not reveal the person’s face, and shows little to no other identifying characteristics of the individual.
The Facebook post asked that anyone with information on the person’s identity or anything else that can further the investigation contact the Ashland Police Department.
View the video
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In the initial press release of the murder of Vandersande, 40, law enforcement noted that the person they believe to be the shooter — dressed in dark clothing — can be seen on security camera footage from nearby businesses fleeing the scene on A Street, heading toward Pioneer Street immediately after the shooting. Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara declined to comment on that footage to, he said, protect the integrity of the investigation.
Initially, law enforcement had been hesitant to release any surveillance footage. In a Sept. 12 phone interview, O’Meara said investigators thought that releasing the images — at the time — would not advance the investigation. He said if the lead investigator told him it would advance the investigation, then the department would share them.
O’Meara said putting the images out to the public will now work to the investigator’s advantage. He declined to comment on whether any additional images would be released and if law enforcement has received additional footage from nearby residents in the Railroad District.
Law enforcement officials continue to believe Vandersande’s murder was a targeted attack, not a random act of violence, according to O’Meara.
Anyone with additional information can contact the Ashland Police Department tip line at 541-552-2333.
Email Ashland.news associate editor Steve Mitchell at stevem@ashland.news.
Related stories:
Obituary: Matthew Mark ‘Oostburg’ Vander Sande (Sept. 12, 2025)
Ashland chief reiterates shooting was targeted; no arrests made (Sept. 12, 2025)
Dozens join in vigil at site of fatal shooting to mourn ‘big-hearted’ Ashland man (Sept. 8, 2025)
Ashland man shot dead early Sunday on A Street; killer still at large (Sept. 7, 2025)
