Hermiston Murder Brings Out Major Crimes Unit
According to news sources, several law enforcement agencies are now investigating the fatal shooting of a man that occurred early Saturday morning.
According to Hermiston Police, and the East Oregonian, police were called to the Viewcrest Apartment Complex near 525 SW 13th. place over reports of gunfire.
When officers arrived around 2:35am, they found 38-year-old James John Cragun, who lives there. The officer began CPR.
He was unresponsive and had sustained a gunshot wound. A paramedic who also arrived kept trying to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police now say they have a person of interest in the case. They're looking for 34-year-old Tyree Houfmuse. He's described as African-American, 6' 1" and weighing between 200-240 lbs. He has several tattoos, including a rose on the left side of his neck.
Officials say members of Major Crimes team with officers from Boardman, Umatilla, Hermiston police as well as Morrow and Umatilla County and the Oregon State Patrol is investigating the case.
The East Oregonian says two women who live just across the parking lot from the shooting scene, said they heard the popping sounds of a gun. One thought it sounded like two pans being banged together. Another one said they saw and heard two cars speeding away from the scene. She said they were going to fast they couldn't even identify the vehicles.