Bend man arrested after allegedly threatening to kill dog walker, firing AR-style rifle

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A 50-year-old Bend man was arrested Wednesday night after police said he threatened to shoot a resident who was walking his dog, then fired an AR-style rifle outside his home.

Joshua Lee Russell was taken into custody in the 2700 block of NE Great Horned Place following reports of gunshots in the neighborhood, according to the Bend Police Department.

The incident began around 8:48 p.m. when a man was walking his dog along Rainier Drive and the dog began barking at deer. After the owner pulled his dog away and continued walking, Russell allegedly began shouting threats from his house on Great Horned Place.

Police said Russell threatened to shoot and kill both the man and his dog before firing shots into his yard.

Shortly after walking past the home, the man heard multiple gunshots. Several other neighborhood residents also called 911 to report gunfire in the area.

Responding officers established a perimeter around the home and called Russell outside, where he was detained without incident. The operation brought a heavy police presence to the neighborhood for about 4 hours, involving armored vehicles, drones and members of the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team.

Detectives executed a search warrant at the residence and found evidence that Russell had fired the rifle into the grass in his yard. Investigators recovered an AR-style rifle and discovered eight spent ammunition rounds in a trash can.

Russell was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on suspicion of menacing, second-degree disorderly conduct and unlawful use of a weapon.