Arrest Made Following Shooting at St. Helens McDonald's

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 1, 2023

St. Helens, Ore. On Friday, April 28, 2023, at approximately 11:28 p.m., St. Helens officers were dispatched to a reported shooting which occurred at the St. Helens McDonald’s at 58771 South Columbia River Highway. Callers reported a road rage incident involving a motorcycle and a maroon SUV which eventually led to the driver of the SUV firing a gun at the motorcyclist and fleeing the scene. When officers arrived on scene, the motorcyclist had already left the location.

Police would like to take a statement from the unidentified motorcyclist who was almost shot and are urging this individual to contact the St. Helens Police Department by calling 503-397-1521.

Officers interviewed witnesses at the scene who reported that a road rage incident occurred between the SUV and motorcycle as they were driving toward St. Helens from Scappoose. Following the road rage incident, witnesses then observed a confrontation between the drivers which occurred in the McDonald’s drive-thru. The SUV driver fired a single round at the motorcyclist and then fled the scene.

Witnesses checked the motorcyclist for injury and reported that he was not struck by the gunfire. Witnesses were unable to identify the motorcyclist.

Police located a bullet at the scene which was seized as evidence.

A Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputy located a maroon SUV in Columbia City and conducted a traffic stop. St. Helens detectives responded to the location and executed a search warrant. Police located a loaded gun and a spent shell casing inside the vehicle.

The driver of the SUV, Donald Brown, 56, was taken into custody and lodged at Columbia County Jail on charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Reckless Endangering, Menacing, Reckless Driving, and DUII.

This is an active investigation. If you have any information about this case, please call St. Helens officers at 503-397-1521.

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For further information regarding this press release, please contact Communications Officer Crystal King at cking@sthelensoregon.gov.