Fugitive Wanted for Attempted Murder in Oregon Arrested in Riverside County

A man wanted for various crimes in the state of Oregon, including attempted murder, was arrested in Riverside County late Tuesday, announced Bill Lewis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.

David Robert Friend, Jr. was wanted for his alleged involvement in the shooting of a man in Springfield, Oregon, in July 2011. Friend and an accomplice, who is already in custody, allegedly forced their way into a home and confronted two victims: one male and one female. The male victim was wounded by gunfire following an altercation that ensued.

On July 22, 2011, a local arrest warrant was issued by the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for Lane County and Friend was charged with burglary, assault, assault with a firearm, attempted murder with a firearm, and interfering with making a report. On July 28, 2011, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Friend in the United States District Court, District of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, and he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution (UFAP).

Photos and a description of Friend were published on the FBI’s website and on television while Friend remained a fugitive.

Information developed by investigators indicated Friend had ties to multiple areas, including California. Recently, agents and detectives identified where Friend had been residing in Riverside County, California. Friend was arrested in Moreno Valley without incident Tuesday evening.

The fugitive investigation was conducted by the Inland Regional Apprehension Team (IRAT), which is made up of agents and officers with the FBI; Riverside County Sheriff’s Department; Riverside Police Department; and the San Bernardino Police Department. IRAT was assisted during the arrest operation by officers with the Moreno Valley Police Department. During the fugitive investigation, IRAT worked collaboratively with the United States Marshals Service.

Friend is being held at the Presley Detention Center in Riverside County and is expected to be transported to Oregon by Lane County detectives in the near future. It is anticipated that the United States government will dismiss the federal warrant charging Friend with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and that he will remain in custody while he awaits prosecution for the state charges by the Lane County District Attorney’s Office.

The FBI continues to work with local law enforcement to apprehend violent criminals charged with state crimes who then flee the jurisdiction interstate or internationally. Photos and descriptions of many fugitives wanted by the FBI can be found at www.fbi.gov.

Media Contact:
FBI Media Relations Los Angeles: 310 996-3343
FBI Media Relations Portland: 503 460-8099