Oregon Mayor Accused of Attempted Murder

Sheriff’s officials say the mayor of a rural Oregon town is facing accusations of attempted murder following a road rage incident Monday night.

The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office said Rufus Mayor Dowen Jones was arrested Tuesday for allegedly firing multiple rounds from a handgun at a passing vehicle near Parkdale.

The mayor of Rufus, Oregon, is in custody after shooting at a family of four – including two children, ages 5 and 8 – during a road rage incident on Halloween night. Witnesses say he was driving recklessly before stopping and opening fire on the family. https://t.co/ZQJdfBtUDW

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) November 3, 2022

Rufus, Oregon mayor arrested for attempted murder after road rage shooting https://t.co/hyGvJfUFsh

— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 3, 2022

KPTV reported:

According to officials, the family was traveling south around 8:45 p.m. on Highway 281 following behind an SUV that was driving erratically. The SUV then abruptly pulled over in the 6000 block of Highway 281.

Deputies said the family slowed to get a description of the suspect to report to authorities but as they passed the suspect, later identified as Dowen Jones, of Rufus, stepped out of the passenger side and fired multiple rounds from a handgun at the family.

The gunfire resulted in damage to the family’s car. Authorities said neither the two adults nor the five and eight-year-old were injured.

Jones was identified Tuesday and was arrested in Rufus by deputies with the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office. He was lodged into the Northern Oregon Regional Corrections in The Dalles on one count of attempted murder and four counts of first-degree attempted assault.

KPTV aired this video report: