Shots fired at Bend’s Sawyer Park; man arrested

(Update: Paxton also facing burglary, theft charges; gun stolen from La Pine roommate)

About a dozen citizen calls of shots fired in the area of Sawyer Park in northwest Bend brought numerous police to the scene Monday night and a 43-year-old homeless man was arrested on charges of firing 15 to 20 shots in the area. Officers said he told them he was using empty beer cans for target practice.

Deschutes County 911 dispatchers received more than 10 calls around 8 p.m. from citizens reporting shots heard in the area of the park on O.B. Riley Road, Sgt. Adam Juhnke said.

Several Bend officers and a Deschutes County sheriff’s deputy responded to the park, and as they arrived on scene, more shots were fired in the area of the park’s footbridge, Juhnke said.

On-duty CERT (SWAT team) members and a police K-9 team, along with other officers began to contain the area. Once a perimeter was in place and officers felt confident the person was contained, a drone was deployed.

Thanks to use of the drone, officers quickly found the suspect, later identified as Anthony Lee Paxton, walking from the footbridge toward O.B. Riley Road. As he crossed the road, Paxton was contacted by officers and immediately compiled with their directions, Juhnke said.

Paxton was found to be in illegal possession of a 9mm Springfield XD handgun, two magazines and more ammunition, according to police. Juhnke said the convicted felon also had switchblade and Balisong knives, which are illegal for him possess.

“Paxton claimed he was shooting empty cans of alcohol near the footbridge and in various directions,” the sergeant said in a news release.

A second police drone was deployed to search the area for any potential victims or other suspects and none were found, Juhnke said.

Paxton was taken to the county jail and booked on charges of unlawful use of a weapon, second-degree criminal mischief and two counts of felon in possession of a weapon. His bail totaled $32,500. Juhnke noted that discharging a firearm in the city limits also is illegal.

By early Tuesday, his charges were expanded to include first-degree burglary and theft, and his bail increased to $67,500, jail records showed.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Deke DeMars said the gun and ammunition allegedly were stolen from Paxton’s roommate in La Pine, who discovered it was missing after learning the news of his arrest. It apparently was taken earlier in the day, DeMars said.

An initial charging document filed Tuesday, the district attorney’s “information,” lists five counts against Paxton: felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, felon in possession of a restricted weapon (the switchblade), unlawful (concealed) possession of a firearm and second-degree disorderly conduct.

Bend police asked anyone living in the area of the Sawyer Park footbridge to check their cars and homes and contact officers if they find any damage from the gunshots or have other information.

Online court records show Paxton was arrested eight times on felony charges between 2001 and 2013 in Clackamas and Multnomah counties.

In May 2013, he pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary and received a 30-month prison term and three years probation. In May 2016, he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault and received a 30-day jail term and 18 months probation.