Bend man arrested after firing gun in air near NE Franklin Avenue 7-Eleven

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A 34-year-old Bend man was arrested Friday after police say he fired multiple shots into the air following a dispute near a 7-Eleven on NE Franklin Avenue earlier this week.

The Bend Police Department responded to a report of gunfire at approximately 8:19 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the 200 block of NE Franklin Avenue.

Investigators determined two men arrived at the 7-Eleven in a Subaru Forester shortly before 8 p.m. The passenger went inside and made a purchase before returning to the vehicle around 8:17 p.m.

Police say the passenger then displayed a black firearm as the Subaru drove into the alley behind the store. There, the passenger exchanged words with another man, got out of the vehicle and pointed the gun at him before firing multiple shots into the air.

The Subaru then sped westbound through the alley, according to police.

After several days of investigation and reviewing surveillance video, officers identified the suspect as Nicholas James Williams, 34, of Bend.

On Friday afternoon, officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop on Williams' vehicle in the 500 block of SW Bond Street and arrested him on suspicion of unlawful use of a weapon and menacing.

Williams was taken to the Deschutes County Jail.

Police also executed a search warrant at Williams' apartment in northwest Bend, where they located the firearm and clothing believed to have been used during the incident.