DUII suspect held after La Pine exchange of gunfire with DCSO deputies

(Update: DA names deputies involved)

Bend man, deputies unhurt; officials say he fired shots from car

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – Authorities on Thursday identified a Bend man arrested Christmas night after allegedly exchanging gunfire with Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies who pulled him over in La Pine on drunken driving charges. No one was injured, they said.

The traffic stop occurred shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday in the 1600 block of Dyke Road in La Pine, sheriff's Lt. Chad Davis said.

James Lamkin, 29, was booked into the county jail in Bend on charges of DUII, felony attempting to elude police, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of menacing and four counts of recklessly endangering another person.

The Tri-County Major Incident Team was called out to investigate the incident, Davis said. Redmond police Lt. Curtis Chambers said Thursday the Redmond Police Department is the lead agency in the deputy-involved shooting incident.

As is standard practice, two deputies at the scene were placed on administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation, Davis said.

Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel said Sheriff Shane Nelson called him to report the incident Wednesday evening and Chief Deputy DA Steve Gunnels responded to assist in the ongoing investigation.

“The traffic stop was initiated based on a deputy’s suspicion that the driver was impaired,” Hummel told NewsChannel 21 Thursday. “We believe the driver of the car fired shots, and one deputy returned fire.”

Hummel said sheriff's Deputy Evan Kennedy had stopped Lamkin's car for a suspected DUII. Deputy Anthony Ramos responded to the scene, and Lamkin fired multiple shots from the vehicle, prompting Ramos to fire back at Lamkin. No one was injured.

The DA said he will release more information after all of the witnesses are interviewed.

"We always look at when a member of the public fires shots, what is the propriety of that? We've charged this gentleman with crimes, for his act of firing shots," Hummel said..

"Second, we look at the deputy's decision to fire shots," he added. "Any time a member of law enforcement discharges his service weapon, we ask -- I ask -- was that a proper use of the privilege he has, to carry a gun and badge in our community?"

Lamkin was arraigned Thursday on a six-count initial charging document alleging DUII, fleeing or attempting to elude police, unlawful use of a firearm, menacing "by firing a handgun (from) his vehicle" and two counts of recklessly endangering another person. His initial bail was set at $60,000.

Court records show Lamkin pleaded not guilty last week after his October arrest in Crook County on charges of manufacture, delivery and possession of a marijuana item, as well as possession of psilocybin mushrooms.

The La Pine shooting incident came two days before Hummel's scheduled Friday afternoon press conference to announce his findings in a deputy-involved shooting the evening of Nov. 29 at the Cascade Village Shopping Center on Robal Road.

Adam Gilliam, 28, of John Day, allegedly had stolen a car from the Shepherd's House homeless shelter and led law enforcement on a pursuit until a pursuit intervention technique stopped the car, and he was shot and wounded.

Gilliam was hospitalized, then booked into the county jail on Dec. 9. Four days later, a grand jury indicted him on eight charges, including two Class C felonies, attempting to elude police and car theft, as well as several misdemeanor counts of reckless endangering, reckless driving and driving with a suspended or revoked license. A plea hearing is scheduled for Jan. 8.