Redmond man arrested, faces two counts of attempted murder in SW Redmond shooting

(Update: Police, prosecutors identify suspect, release details, charges; victim in fair condition)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A 45-year-old Redmond man was arrested early Friday at a Bend motel and faces two counts of attempted murder and other charges in a shooting Thursday night in southwest Redmond that sent one man to the hospital, prompted a warning for residents to stay inside and closed Canal Boulevard overnight.

Officers responded shortly before 8 p.m. to the 2900 block of Canal Boulevard on a shooting report, Lt. Jesse Petersen said.

It was reported that Joshua LaForest, 45, shot a 30-year-old Redmond man with a handgun and fled before police arrived, Petersen said.

The shooting victim was taken by Redmond Fire & Rescue medics to St. Charles Bend, where the lieutenant said he was in fair condition at last report.

The shooting prompted police Thursday night to close Canal Boulevard between Volcano and Wickiup avenues and ask people via social media to avoid the area and residents to stay in their homes.

Bend police, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies, the Central Oregon Major Incident Team and the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team (CERT) arrested LaForest around 1:40 a.m. Friday at the Holiday Motel on Southeast Third Street in Bend.

LaForest was lodged in the county jail in in Bend on charges of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and menacing, but also was being held without bail on an out-of-county warrant and probation violation, Petersen said.

Before LaForest’s initial court appearance Friday, the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office filed an eight-count initial charging document listing two alleged male victims on Thursday and two counts of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree attempted assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of menacing.

Judge Raymond Crutchley set LaForest's arraignment on an expected formal indictment for next Friday at 1:30 p.m.

Redmond police thanked the other entities involved for their help in the investigation. As police continue to investigate the case, anyone who witnessed or has information about the shooting was asked to contact the Redmond Police Department through non-emergency dispatch, 541-693-6911.