A dispute behind a Bend convenience store turned into gunfire on a Tuesday night, and it took Bend police three days of digging through surveillance footage to put a name to the man they say pulled the trigger. Officers say 34-year-old Nicholas James Williams pointed a firearm at another man in an alley near a 7-Eleven on NE Franklin Avenue and then fired multiple shots into the air before speeding off.
Gunfire Reported Behind NE Franklin Avenue Store
According to KTVZ, Bend police responded to a report of gunfire at approximately 8:19 p.m. on Nov. 3 in the 200 block of NE Franklin Avenue. Police said two men arrived at the 7-Eleven in a Subaru Forester shortly before 8 p.m., and the passenger went inside and made a purchase before the situation escalated outside.
Police said the passenger displayed a black firearm as the Subaru pulled into the alley behind the store, then got out and exchanged words with another man already in the alley. The passenger pointed the gun at the man before firing multiple shots into the air, after which the Subaru sped westbound through the alley, according to police.
Days of Investigation Lead to an Arrest
Investigators spent the following days reviewing surveillance video before identifying the suspect as Nicholas James Williams, 34, of Bend. Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop on Williams' vehicle in the 500 block of SW Bond Street, and arrested him on suspicion of unlawful use of a weapon and menacing. Under Oregon law, menacing is the offense listed at ORS 163.190, according to the Oregon Legislature's own statute index.
Police said a search of Williams' apartment in northwest Bend turned up a firearm and clothing believed to have been used during the incident. Williams was then taken to the Deschutes County Jail, per the same report.
Separate Gun Scare in Downtown Parking Garage
A separate confrontation took place downtown. A Bend man was arrested on a Wednesday evening for allegedly threatening teenagers with a gun in the Centennial Parking Garage, as reported by The Bulletin. Police identified that suspect as 67-year-old William Hardt.
According to The Bulletin, Hardt and the teens exchanged a few words about their driving before Hardt allegedly took a firearm from a bag and threatened them with it. Police seized a firearm from Hardt's vehicle during a consent search and arrested him on suspicion of menacing, the outlet reported.
