Gunman fires at man on busy NE Bend street; police say he dropped the gun when confronted by armed bystander
(Update: Police report arrest, details of street shooting)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Bend man was arrested on attempted murder and other charges Wednesday after police say he fired at least one shot at a man who was not hit on a busy northeast Bend street. He dropped the gun when confronted by a bystander who quickly drew his own weapon.
An investigation determined that the 44-year-old suspect drove to the area in a black 1988 Jeep and parked on NE Emerson Avenue, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said Thursday.
Witnesses said he got out of the Jeep holding a handgun, called out to a man nearby and “fired at least one round at the man,” Miller said in a news release.
The intended victim was not hit and took shelter in the Lighthouse Navigation Center, Miller said.
Several people witnessed the incident, including a bystander with a valid concealed weapons permit who drew his weapon and confronted the suspect, Miller said. He then dropped his handgun, she said, and officers arriving on scene took him into custody without further incident.
Miller said officers located a 9 mm handgun on the ground near where the man was taken into custody. Detectives searched the man’s Jeep at the scene and located body armor, a 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition.
The suspect was taken to the Bend Police Department headquarters, then to Deschutes County Jail and booked late Wednesday night on charges of second-degree attempted murder, unlawful use of a weapon, felon in possession of a weapon, felon in possession of body armor, recklessly endangering another person and pointing a firearm at another, Miller said. He also was cited for unlawful discharge of a weapon within the city limits.
The suspect was being held without bail at the jail pending arraignment, records showed. NewsChannel 21 policy is not to name arrested individuals until and unless formal charges are filed.
Streets and the area around the shooting incident were closed for the investigation until about 10:30 p.m.
Miller said Bend Police want to thank Oregon State Police and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the case.
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Earlier information:
The report of shots fired was received shortly after 3:30 p.m. on NE Second Street near Franklin Avenue, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said, resulting in a “large police presence in the area."
Miller said there was no danger to the community, and no word on any damage at this time.
Second Street was closed between DeKalb and Franklin avenues, as was Emerson Avenue between Third and First streets for the investigation.
“Bend Police ask the public to avoid the area as the investigation continues,” Miller said.
