Shots-fired report leads to three arrests in robbery at Madras gas station/store; one also charged in shooting

(Update: Adding names, charges, court proceedings)

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – A confrontation over an attempted beer theft led to a report of shots fired at a Madras gas station and store this week and the arrest of three suspects, one also accused of shooting another person in the leg two days earlier, police said Saturday.

Officers responded around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday to the call of shots fired at the City Pump gas station and store on Southwest Fourth Street, Officer Ryan Kathrein said.

Dispatchers told responding officers that a worker at the business challenged a couple trying to steal beer from the store, that shots were fired and they ran from the scene.

Officers responded quickly, securing the scene about five minutes after being dispatched and detaining two people at First and B streets.

Dondi Leon Foster Sr., 47, and Kristan Lee Smith, 25, were were questioned and arrested. Foster was accused of unlawful possession of a short-barreled rifle and unlawful use of a weapon and Smith was charged with robbery and theft.

During the interviews, officers determined Foster also was responsible for a Monday incident in which a person was shot in the leg and treated at the hospital. He’s charged with assault and reckless endangering in that incident, the officer said.

Later Wednesday evening, a third suspect in the City Pump incident, Hattie Agnes Hart, 38, was arrested on robbery and theft charges.

Court records show Foster was arraigned Thursday on the three filed charges and bail was set at $35,000. Smith pleaded not guilty Thursday to third-degree theft and was granted conditional release. Hart pleaded not guilty to the same charge and bail was set at $1,000.

Details about the reported shots have not been released, as the case remains under investigation.

All three suspects are residents of the local houseless community, a city official said.

Kathrein said, “We appreciate the cooperation of our local businesses. Surveillance video from City Pump and surrounding businesses was extremely helpful in developing and confirming evidence for our case.”

Madras Police Chief Timothy Plummer said, “Everyone involved in this incident performed exactly the way the system is designed to operate for success.

"The store manager called 9-1-1 immediately, Frontier 9-1-1 dispatched clear and accurate information, providing officers the ability to respond quickly. Those initial responses, combined with excellent detective work and mutual aid from neighboring law enforcement agencies are the necessary components for creating safer communities.”

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with related information is encouraged to contact Officer Kathrein at 541-475-2424 (x208).