Man arrested after shooting into occupied home
By Griffin Beach on Friday, September 5th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
UMAPINE – A 42-year-old man is in custody on multiple charges after allegedly firing multiple rounds into an occupied home in the Umapine area on August 31.
The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) says dispatch received a call at 11:22 p.m. with the caller, a resident of a home on Lawson Street, saying multiple gunshots were being fired toward the home by Sopha Khathavong a male relative who was living alone in a camp trailer on the property.The caller said Khathavong had displayed paranoid behavior in recent days and there were concerns about his mental health.
The caller said approximately seven people were in the home as it was being fired upon.
UCSO, Oregon State Police, Walla Walla County Sheriff’s, Walla Walla Police, and College Place Police all responded and established a perimeter to contain the suspect. Phone calls and loudspeaker announcements were used in an attempt to establish communication with Khathavong for several hours, and he refused to respond or exit the trailer.
UCSO obtained a search warrant and requested mutual aid from the Walla Walla Regional SWAT Team. SWAT deployed less-lethal tactics including gas munitions. SWAT personnel approached the trailer and Khathavong fired additional rounds, in response a SWAT member discharged their firearm. Khathavong then surrendered without incident.
No injuries were sustained by the residents of the home, law enforcement, or the suspect.
Khathavong was arraigned on Tuesday and his bail was set at $50,000. He’s charged with two counts of felony unlawful use of a weapon, eight counts of misdemeanor recklessly endangering another person, and one count of misdemeanor interfering with an officer. As of Friday evening he was still listed on the Umatilla County jail roster.
Due to a firearm being discharged by law enforcement standard officer-involved shooting protocols have been initiated. Oregon State Police are leading the investigation which will be reviewed by the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office in accordance with state guidelines.
