The person accused of opening fireplace on random motorists on Interstate 5 in Washington County final month hit two automobiles with bullets and injured a person, court docket information say.
Jason Duane Duncan, 44, faces prices of tried homicide, assault, reckless endangerment, illegal use of a weapon and legal mischief, in line with court docket information.
He has pleaded not responsible.
One driver who was hit stated he heard an explosion as his windshield partially shattered round 6:15 a.m., court docket information say.
He later informed police that he thought a rock hit his automotive, however he quickly realized that his proper ear was bleeding.
The person pulled off on the subsequent exit and flagged down a Clackamas County Sheriff’s Workplace deputy, who then referred to as Oregon State Police, court docket information present.
The Oregon State Police trooper discovered bullet holes in the midst of the automotive’s rear windshield and one other gap close to the driving force’s facet of the entrance windshield. Police additionally discovered a bullet fragment within the automotive, court docket information say.
Shortly after, police acquired one other name from a person who stated that his automotive had been struck by gunfire round 6:40 a.m., court docket information present.
The person informed police that he heard a loud bang and thought he’d hit one thing within the street, however when he arrived at work he discovered a bullet gap within the lid of his trunk, court docket information present. He additionally discovered items of a bullet inside his automotive, close to the passenger facet compartment, court docket paperwork say.
Oregon State Police troopers scoured the freeway for the alleged shooter and located Duncan nonetheless parked on the facet of the interstate, court docket information say.
Duncan informed the troopers that he had a number of weapons in his automotive — together with two rifles — and claimed that he’d been caught on the facet of the freeway since he ran out of fuel round 5 a.m.
He informed police that he was irritated that nobody stopped when he tried to flag down assist, and felt like “folks have been out to get him.”
Duncan allegedly informed the officers on the scene that he hadn’t shot any of his weapons, however police discovered six bullet casings on the bottom close to his automotive, court docket information say. In later interviews with investigators, he allegedly modified his story, admitting that he’d shot his rifle a number of occasions, however didn’t know if he had hit something, court docket paperwork present.
Individuals who knew Duncan later informed investigators that he has schizophrenia, court docket information say.
Duncan has no earlier convictions, however is dealing with prices in a separate case for allegedly making false police experiences in January 2024.
— Tatum Todd is a breaking information reporter who covers public security, crime and neighborhood information. Attain them at ttodd@oregonian.com or 503-221-4313.
