Seeking Person of Interest in Connection with Shooting on Warm Springs Indian Reservation

On May 20, 2010 at approximately 7:06 a.m., a Warm Springs police officer attempted to make a traffic stop on a white Ford Explorer on Highway 3. Shortly after activating the patrol car’s emergency lights, the Ford Explorer failed to yield and several shots were fired from that vehicle at the patrol car. One round from what appeared to be a rifle struck the patrol car’s front windshield.

The Warm Springs police officer was not injured and continued following the fleeing vehicle while calling for assistance. The vehicle continued on Highway 3 and turned onto Highway 8, eventually turning onto a dirt road called Charley Canyon Road. The vehicle continued attempting to elude officers for several miles on very rough roads until it was unable to continue any further. Two suspects were then observed fleeing the vehicle on foot, one carrying a rifle and the other a bag. While fleeing, one suspect fired several shots at the Warm Springs police officers. One officer armed with a rifle returned fire at the suspects.

At this time, the suspects remain at large. One suspect was seen wearing black shorts and a green shirt. The second suspect was wearing black pants and a black shirt. One or both suspects may have been wearing hoodies.

A perimeter around the area, described as very rugged with deep ravines, was established. Law enforcement officers from the FBI, Warm Springs Police Department, Oregon State Police, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department, Bend Police Department, and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office were involved in a cooperative operation today to find and arrest the suspects.

Tactical officers from FBI and OSP were supported by officers patrolling the area in vehicles, in the air, and canine units on foot.

Nine local residences in the Charley Canyon area were evacuated by officers.

According to Warm Springs Department of Public Safety Director Jim Soules, the vehicle and suspects are believed to be involved in an earlier incident in Madras during which shots were fired at a Madras police officer.

Investigators have identified a person of interest who they would like to locate and interview regarding the shooting incident on the Warm Springs Reservation. He is identified as Waylon McKie Weaselhead, age 21. Weaselhead is a tribal member. He is described as:

Native American man
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 175 pounds
Hair: Black, but cut short/shaved
Eyes: Brown
Other: Tattoo on his chest that reads “5150” and multiple tattoos on other parts of his body

Anyone with information regarding Weaselhead’s whereabouts or anyone with information on the larger investigation is asked to call the Warm Springs Dispatch Center at 541-553-1171 or send tips to wspdtips@wstribes.org.

*Note: The photographs of the crime scene are courtesy of the Oregon State Police.