PORTLAND, Ore. — A Montana man accused of firing gunshots and vandalizing more than 20 vehicles earlier this month has been arrested in Portland, police announced this week.
Arrest in Northeast Portland
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) said officers responded around 2:10 p.m. Monday to a report of a hit-and-run crash on Northeast Prescott Street. A woman at the scene told police her vehicle had been struck by another car, and the driver had fled on foot.
Officers quickly located and arrested the suspect, identified as 53-year-old Brian Werner of Kalispell, Montana. Werner was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on several local charges, including:
Also Read
-
Driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII)
-
Reckless driving
-
Failure to perform the duties of a driver
During the arrest, Portland police learned Werner was also wanted in Montana in connection with a string of gunfire and vandalism incidents earlier this month.
Montana Crime Spree
According to the Kalispell Police Department (KPD), Werner is suspected of being behind a destructive spree that occurred between the night of September 7 and the early morning of September 8 in Kalispell.
Authorities say Werner vandalized more than 20 vehicles, slashing tires and causing widespread property damage. He is also accused of firing a gun multiple times in populated areas of the city.
KPD reported that at least two buildings and one vehicle were struck by bullets, though fortunately no injuries were reported.
Evidence Collected
Kalispell investigators said they executed multiple search warrants as part of the case, reviewing hours of surveillance footage, collecting biological evidence, and seizing a vehicle. They also confiscated numerous firearms believed to be linked to the incidents.
The findings led prosecutors to issue a warrant for Werner’s arrest on multiple felony counts.
Extradition Pending
Werner now awaits extradition to Flathead County, Montana, where he faces felony charges of criminal endangerment and criminal mischief. The timeline for extradition has not yet been confirmed.
In the meantime, he remains in custody in Oregon, held on both local charges and the Montana warrant.
Community Impact in Kalispell
Kalispell residents described the September incidents as unnerving, with many waking to find their vehicles damaged and hearing reports of shots fired in their neighborhoods.
“Having someone randomly firing a gun in residential areas is highly concerning,” one Kalispell resident told local media. “It’s a relief to know that person is now in custody.”
Police there credited community cooperation and extensive evidence gathering for helping them quickly identify a suspect.
Portland Connection
It remains unclear how Werner traveled from Montana to Portland or how long he had been in Oregon before Monday’s crash. Portland police have not indicated whether he was connected to any other local crimes.
PPB said the arrest highlights how interstate coordination between law enforcement agencies can help bring suspects to justice.
What Comes Next
Werner will first face local proceedings in Multnomah County related to the Portland charges. After that, he is expected to be transported back to Montana, where he could face significant prison time if convicted of the felony counts.
The case underscores both the dangers posed by random acts of gun violence and the complexity of pursuing suspects across state lines. For Kalispell residents who endured a night of fear and property damage, news of Werner’s arrest brought a measure of closure.
