Charges Filed After Shooting Incident in Oregon

A man faces charges for allegedly firing over 200 rounds at a tree-cutting crew and a sheriff’s office drone in Clackamas County, Oregon, on August 29.

The individual, identified as 53-year-old Erik Gordon Shunn, was reported by KATU.

A drone operated by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office captured footage of Shunn purportedly shooting at it while seated on the ground at a residence on South Rocky Bluff Lane.

Shortly thereafter, Shunn was observed driving a tractor near the home until a SWAT vehicle maneuvered to pin the tractor against the building, leading Shunn to seemingly surrender.

Before this incident with the tractor, deputies had arrived in response to reports of Shunn firing towards the nearby tree-cutting crew.

According to the sheriff’s office, “Investigators now believe Shunn fired over 200 rounds during the entirety of the Aug. 29 shooting incident and subsequent SWAT standoff on S. Rocky Bluff Lane. This includes rounds fired at the arborists, plus additional rounds fired into the air at a Sheriff’s Office drone flying over the residence to determine Shunn’s position.”

Shunn was arraigned on charges including Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Assault in the First Degree, Recklessly Endangering, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, Unlawful Possession of Firearms, Attempted Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, and Interfering with a Peace Officer. He appeared virtually in court and was ordered to be held without bail, expressing confusion about the situation.

A prosecuting attorney noted Shunn’s criminal history included “stalking protective orders,” and he was barred from possessing firearms.

Neighbors shared with KPTV that they noticed a change in Shunn approximately a decade ago after the tragic murder of his brother and sister-in-law in Washington.

During the standoff, Shunn contended that the trees being cut down were on his property, while the neighbor who hired the crew maintained they were on her land.

Tricia Achenbach, a neighbor, recounted the moment the shots rang out, stating, “They were screaming at me to call the police to do something. So finally, we had to.”

Law enforcement confirmed that Shunn’s elderly mother was inside the home at the time of the incident, but fortunately, no one was injured.