By Terry Murry on Friday, May 21st, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
MILTON-FREEWATER – Milton-Freewater police responded to a call Tuesday night reporting that a man had discharged a shotgun toward a dog. Evidence was collected at the scene and Chief Doug Boedigheimer reports that no animal was harmed.
A Milton-Freewater officer returned to the scene at 126 N.E. Second Ave. to view the area in the daylight hours. While there the officer asked Byron Burke Jr. if he would voluntarily go to the police station to make a statement and Burke agreed.
“Based on the interview conducted, the officer developed probable cause to arrest Mr. Burke on the charges of unlawful use of a weapon for discharging a firearm inside city limits; unlawful possession of a weapon; and felon in possession of a weapon,” Boedigheimer wrote in an email.
MFPD is withholding certain details in the case due to the ongoing investigation. It is expected the case will be presented to a Umatilla County grand jury. Burke was taken to Umatilla County Jail and his bail is set at $35,000. The chief points out that in every case, arrested persons are presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law.