DA: No charges filed in false intruder shooting claim

Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel said Tuesday he’s decided not to press charges against a Bend-area man who falsely claimed to police that a masked intruder had shot him during a home invasion, when it turned out to be a self-inflicted wound.

Here’s the statement in full issued by Hummel Tuesday morning:

After a thorough review of the facts and evidence involved in the case, District Attorney John Hummel announced Tuesday that no charges will be filed in relation to the March 9 , 2015 shooting incident at 61747 Wickiup Road in unincorporated Deschutes County.

On that day, Todd Dickerson called 911 to report that he was shot by a ski-mask wearing intruder in his home. When Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene, Mr. Dickerson was on the floor of his home, bleeding profusely from his shoulder. Dickerson was transported to St. Charles Bend while the sheriff’s office conducted an extensive search in the surrounding neighborhood for a suspect who was never located.

At the hospital, Todd Dickerson eventually admitted that he shot himself in a suicide attempt and when the initial gunshot wound did not kill him, he decided he wanted to live. He concocted the intruder story because he was embarrassed he attempted suicide and did not want his family and friends to know the extent of his mental health struggles.

D.A. Hummel said: “1 in 5 Americans live with a mental disorder and nearly two-thirds of people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment. Fear of disclosure, rejection of friends, and discrimination are a few reasons why people with mental illness don’t seek help. This needs to end.”

Prior to making a charging decision, D.A. Hummel investigated how Dickerson responded to this crisis during the last three months. The investigation involved interviews with Dickerson’s family, friends and mental health therapist, as well as with Dickerson himself.

D.A. Hummel said: “Todd Dickerson is to be commended for embracing his illness and taking the necessary steps to become and remain healthy. Our investigation revealed that Todd Dickerson is ashamed no more. Like a person with a broken arm who sees a doctor, Todd now understands that a person struggling with their mental health should seek treatment. Todd regularly sees a therapist, speaks openly with friends and family about his condition, and speaks often in his community about the dangers of mental health stigma.”

D.A. Hummel commends the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office for their quick, thorough and professional response to this incident and thanks the residents who live near the Dickerson home for their cooperation during the March 9 th manhunt.

D.A. Hummel encourages anyone experiencing a mental health crisis to call the Deschutes County Health Services 24-Hour Crisis Hotline at (541) 322-7500 .