Arrest of Umatilla man stems from gun violence
By Terry Murry on Saturday, January 6th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UMATILLA – Alexis Aviles Escobar, 20, of Umatilla was arrested at Beach Access Road on Wednesday on multiple felony charges including second-degree attempted murder. Umatilla County Deputy District Attorney Jameson R. Hayes confirmed that he was picked up on a secret indictment warrant by the U.S. Marshals Service, the Oregon State Police, and the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office.
The judge who issued the warrant had set no bail. When Aviles Escobar was arraigned, his bail was set at $125,000. Hayes said the defendant bailed out by posting 10 percent of that amount later in the same day.
OSP Lt. Karl Farber told us that the arrest stemmed from a drive-by shooting two years ago in which no one was injured. The case against Aviles Escobar is being prosecuted in Umatilla County, and the deputy district attorney said there will be other such cases.
“This case is one of many similar cases that have been investigated on the west side over the last couple of years,” he wrote in an email. “It is an example of an upward trend of gun violence among young people in the Hermiston/Umatilla area. LE (law enforcement) agencies and the DA are making these investigations and prosecutions a priority in order to enhance public safety and curb the threat of danger to innocents.”
In addition to second-degree attempted murder, Aviles Escobar is also charged with first-degree attempted assault, attempted unlawful use of a weapon, criminal mischief (vandalism), and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.
