La Pine man shot trying to aid assault victim; suspect jailed
DCSO: 2 citizens held suspect after incident near Vic's Bar & Grill
(Adding victim's name, condition; comment from sheriff; alcohol a factor)
La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A La Pine man heard a woman yelling for help outside a nearby bar late Saturday night, went to check on her and was shot by the woman’s alleged assailant, who was arrested on several charges, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.
Deschutes County 911 dispatchers received a call shortly after midnight from an employee of Vic’s Bar & Grill who reported a man had just come in with a gunshot wound, Sgt. Jayson James said.
Sheriff’s deputies, Oregon State Police troopers and Sunriver police responded to the scene. La Pine Rural Fire District medics also were called to the tavern and began treating the victim, a 37-year-old La Pine man identified as Jonathon James Arnold who was taken by ambulance to St. Charles Bend with non-life-threatening injuries, James said.
Deputies contacted the suspect, Cheyenne Eades Wilson, 43, of Marcola, near Highway 97 and Burgess Road, where he had been found and held by two citizens after they learned of the shooting, the sergeant said. Wilson was taken into custody without incident, James said, and the gun was recovered nearby.
Sheriff’s detectives learned that Wilson and a 34-year-old female friend from Pleasant Hill had been visiting the area and were walking away from the bar when Wilson began assaulting the woman, James said.
Arnold was outside of his home nearby and heard the woman yelling and calling for help, so he decided to check on her welfare, James said. He contacted the woman on Highway 97 near Burgess Road, and while speaking to her was contacted by Wilson.
Arnold was trying to keep Wilson away from the woman and himself, James said, at which time Wilson displayed a gun, then fired as he was trying to get away.
Arnold was struck in the buttock by the fired round. He was in good condition Sunday afternoon at the Bend hospital, a house supervisor said.
The woman received minor injuries in the assault, James added.
Wilson was taken to Bend and booked into the county jail on charges of second- and fourth-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of menacing and unlawful possession of a firearm. He was being held Sunday on $80,000 bail.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the incident, James said.
Sheriff Shane Nelson told NewsChannel 21, "I am thankful for the gentleman intervening in this volatile situation to protect the victim. He put his own life at risk in this selfless act of courage."
