NE Bend neighborhood rattled by shootings

For the second time in less than two weeks, gunfire erupts in a Northeast Bend neighborhood and police are still searching for the suspect or suspects.

The first time gunshots rattled residents off of Eagle Road, earlier this month, a particular house was targeted. Now, it’s unclear whether that home was again the focus Monday night, when more gunshots were fired in the very same area.

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said at present, they don’t believe the shootings are related, but aren’t ruling out that possibility and are still investigating.

NewsChannel 21 spoke with a man who lives near the house sprayed with bullets on Feb. 1, and he says the similarities are scary.

At 9:15 Monday night, homeowners in the neighborhood heard “pop, pop, pop, pop, pop-pop-pop,” said a resident who didn’t want to be identified.

Some people who live nearby ran to their front doors, thinking someone was frantically knocking. But others, like the man NewsChannel 21 interviewed…knew better.

“It was someone squeezing off the trigger as fast as they could,” the Bend man said.

Two weeks ago, someone shot out the windows in a home off Bunchgrass Lane while the family slept inside. Our camera captured the damage done, both inside the home and in the driveway.

“There was a lot of vandalism to the cars and stuff, someone spray painted some cars,” the man said.

Police are not releasing anything about the first shooting, or whether they have any suspects. The lack of information is frustrating people who live there.

“It’s someone who’s very stupid and has no regard for the laws and people’s safety,” the man said.

Nothing was vandalized Monday night, and police say they are not sure the two reports of drive-by shootings are related. But residents are convinced.

“The way they pulled the trigger, it was exactly the same as last time,” the man said. “I mean, it was like deja vu.”

Only this time, the man says the shooter did not peel out afterward, like people heard the first time. Prompting even more concern — the gunman apparently is not worried about getting caught.

“It’s scary because of all the things going on nationwide with gun violence,” the man said. ” Yeah, it’s getting really scary.”

Packed with families and young children, the neighborhood is eager for an arrest.

The first drive-by shooting, on Feb. 1, is a Crime Stoppers case. If you have any information on it, please contact the tip line at 1-877-876-tips, or use the form on KTVZ.COM’s Crime Stoppers page. You don’t have to give your name, and you could get a cash reward if your tip leads to an arrest.