Man who stole rifle at Jefferson County Fair, tried to fire it several times and was shot gets 10-year prison term in plea deal
Barney Lerten
(Update: Adding video)
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A man who stole a rifle from a pickup at the 2022 Jefferson County Fair and tried to fire it several times at pursuing officers and others before being shot by police has pleaded guilty to reduced charges and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Rafael Gomez, now 33, signed a plea petition late last month, agreeing to plead guilty to three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, court records show. He was due to go on trial on August 11 on 16 felony charges, including five counts of attempted aggravated murder; an earlier trial ended in a mistrial after a juror’s misconduct involving improper investigation of the case.
Gomez, identified in initial court documents as a fugitive from San Diego, was accused of trying to shoot eight people, including Sheriff Jason Pollock.
District Attorney Steve Leriche found Madras police and sheriff’s deputies were justified in using deadly force to stop Gomez, who aimed the stolen AR-15 at citizens and pursuing officers, but was unable to fire because two rounds were jammed in the chamber.
The DA said law enforcement kept ordering Gomez to drop the gun, which he did not, and was trying to keep Gomez from entering the Madras Cinema 5 or Kentucky Fried Chicken or being able to clear a double feed from his rifle.