Tragedy struck Hood River as 38-year-old Stephen Hayes was fatally injured following an attempt to stop a theft from his property, a situation that has since escalated into a murder investigation. According to KOIN, Johnathan Bradly Matthews, 31, was arrested in The Dalles and is now facing charges including second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, theft, and unauthorized use of a vehicle, following the incident where Hayes was killed after confronting suspects involved in stealing his bike.
Upon arriving at his residence last Friday, Hayes noticed the suspects stealing a bike attached to his car when he went outside to intervene, the suspects reportedly drove off in a truck, which was later identified as being stolen earlier that day from a local business, as per details from KPTV. Unfortunately, the escalation turned deadly as Hayes was struck by the vehicle containing the suspects; all three individuals involved in the incident have since been captured and are facing serious charges.
With the community in mourning over the loss of Hayes, the prosecutorial process is underway, as noted by KGW, which reported that all three suspects could potentially be indicted for Murder in the Second Degree after a Grand Jury convenes this Friday. Hood River County District Attorney Matt Ellis stated, "This was an act of robbery in the first degree, meaning that the all three participated in this theft where a serious physical injury was caused to the victim and the truck was also being used as a deadly or dangerous weapon and in the process of committing this robbery, a high level felony, a death occurred to get to a murder in the second degree."
The ripple effect of this crime has led to an outpouring of grief within the community, as they try to come to terms with the senselessness and brutality of the event that took Hayes from them. As the legal proceedings continue, the community looks for justice and peace in the wake of a violent act that has changed the fabric of Hood River, leaving an indelible mark on those who call it home.
