On Friday afternoon, Newport officials arrested a man near Sam Case Elementary School after he was reportedly acting aggressively with an airsoft gun. KOIN reports that the suspect was yelling angrily and exhibiting threatening bodily movements when police responded to the situation around 3 p.m.
Authorities identified the man as Timothy Bottorff, who was found by Newport Police Department and Lincoln County Sheriff's Office officers walking east on NE Eads Avenue near NE 7th Street, as noted by KATU. During the arrest, Bottorff attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended by the officers in pursuit.
Upon further investigation, police found that Bottorff was in possession of a meth pipe and a bag of methamphetamine. According to KPTV, Bottorff tried to discard these items while attempting to escape from police. The airsoft pistol he carried was visually similar to a genuine firearm, further escalating the tension of the situation.
Bottorff is now facing multiple charges in the aftermath of this incident, including second-degree disorderly conduct, menacing, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, tampering with evidence, third-degree escape, and resisting arrest. He was booked into the Lincoln County Jail following his arrest near the elementary school.
