Jefferson County deputies investigating unsafe target shooting; bullets crossed canyon, landed near worker
KTVZ
CULVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jefferson County authorities are investigating an incident in which gunfire from apparent target shooting crossed a canyon and struck near a worker in the Opal Springs area southwest of Culver, according to Sheriff Jason Pollock.
Pollock said in a Facebook post late Thursday that deputies were called on Tuesday to a report of shots fired in the canyon between Crooked River Ranch and Culver. An employee of Deschutes Valley Water reported hearing rounds hitting the gravel close to a building where he was working.
Map of shots fired investigation.
Deputies and detectives responded and determined the shots came from the Crooked River Ranch side of the canyon, on Bureau of Land Management property near the far north end of the ranch, Pollock said.
The sheriff said evidence indicates someone had been target shooting at an old garbage can about 30 yards from the canyon rim — apparently unable to see what was beyond their target.
Because of the steep elevation drop separating the two sides of the canyon, bullets that passed through the target continued across the canyon and landed near the worker’s location, Pollock said, adding that no one was injured.
Pollock said the sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate and is reminding recreational shooters to always be sure of their backstop – and to know what lies beyond the area they are shooting toward.
Anyone with information about what happened is being asked to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 541‑475‑6520 and ask for Deputy Brandon Talbott.
Pollock told KTVZ News on Friday that he had no new information to share about the investigation.