As Bend dad grieves, murder suspect appears in court

The Bend man accused of fatally shooting his landlord and next-door neighbor early Saturday morning kept his head down during a brief court appearance by video Monday afternoon at the Deschutes County Courthouse.

Several friends and family members of the victim, 30-year-old Andrew Cordes, watched as 34-year-old Daniel Norquist, appearing from jail, was read his charges: murder and unlawful use of the a weapon.

Andrew Cordes’ father, Steve Cordes, said it was surreal.

“I still can’t believe I’m not going to see him again,” Steve Cordes said outside the courthouse. “He was shot with a shotgun multiple times. That is one of the most disturbing aspects of the whole situation.”

Even more unbelievable, Cordes said, was that Norquist pulled the trigger.

“He was kind of like a stepson to me,” Cordes said of Norquist. “He was a personal friend — kind of part of the family. He had lived in an apartment at my home.”

Norquist was arrested by police early Saturday after Andrew Cordes’ body was found in his rental unit on Northeast Nova Loop. Cordes owned the duplex and lived next door.

Court filings, including the affidavit for Norquist’s arrest, have been sealed, pending grand jury deliberations slated to begin Tuesday.

“I’m vacillating back and forth between sad and mad, because this didn’t have to happen, it was a senseless killing,” Cordes said, adding that he has no idea why his son was killed.

“They were sitting drinking beers for hours (in Nordquist’s house) before the incident,” Cordes said.

Cordes said his son met Norquist online 17 years ago and met him in person about 10 years ago. He said for several years, Norquist lived with the Cordes family.

But Saturday’s shooting wasn’t the first trouble between the two. Court records show Andrew Cordes was charged with burglary, criminal mischief and assaulting Norquist in January, but the charges were dropped in April.

A declaration filed by Norquist in April stated that he wanted to dismiss the case.

“I am completely satisfied with the steps Mr. Cordes has taken to address the damage done to me and have received satisfaction for any injury I received,” the statement reads. “I agree the criminal charges of Assault IV against Mr. Cordes should be dismissed.”

Steve Cordes recalled, “They got in a disagreement here a few months ago, and Andy hit Daniel. But all charges were dropped — nothing came of it.”

Monday afternoon, a bouquet of flowers had been placed at Andrew Cordes’ home, where he lived with his girlfriend and her child.

Neighbors heard shots — some heard screams — and watched police gather evidence all day Saturday.

“I’ve never heard someone scream like that,” said neighbor Kyle Hyatt said Monday,, adding that he rushed outside after he heard the gunshots. “You just knew from her screaming that someone was dying.”

“My condolences to everyone involved — everybody is losing now,” Hyatt added.

Steve Cordes said his family has experienced an outpouring of support since the shooting.

“I just want to thank everyone, and I appreciate the heart-warming condolences,” Cordes said. “The kid always had a smile on his face. He had a heart as big as an elephant, and he just loved everybody.”

Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel said he spent hours at the crime scene Saturday and also attended Cordes’ autopsy on Sunday in Portland. He said his office does not yet have the results.

Norquist is behind bars at the county jail, held without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for next Monday, Aug. 3 at 1:30 p.m.