Baker City Man Arrested Following Disturbing Domestic Violence Incident
By Joe Hathaway on Monday, October 23rd, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY — In a harrowing incident, a Baker City man is accused of assaulting a woman he knows multiple times, including choking her until she passed out, as well as firing a shotgun inside a home near her.
44-year-old Jason Charles Taylor of Baker is charged with fourth-degree assault, strangulation, menacing, unlawful use of a weapon, felon in possession of a weapon and recklessly endangering another person.
According to the probable cause affidavit from Baker City Police, someone called police on Wednesday, October 18 stating that their friend had called and told them she had been strangled by Taylor, with whom she was in a relationship with, until she lost consciousness. The victim also told the friend that Taylor had discharged a shotgun inside their home.
Concerned for the victim’s safety, Baker Police officers rushed to the scene. Upon contacting the victim, she expressed fear for her life, claiming that Taylor had threatened to kill her and fired a shotgun in their home. The victim revealed that she had not slept in over a day due to the traumatic experience.
She then detailed to officers a series of abusive incidents over the past 72 hours. She described being choked twice by Taylor until she lost consciousness and displayed visible injuries, including bruises on her head. The tension escalated during a verbal argument on October 17 when Taylor, armed with a shotgun, threatened self-harm and, according to the victim, pointed the gun at her.
She said the gun went off, almost hitting Taylor and striking the ceiling.
The victim told officers she believed she was going to be killed.
Acting on information provided by the victim, law enforcement officers apprehended Taylor later that day. Despite Taylor’s denial of the events described by the victim, officers discovered a bullet hole in the ceiling of the bedroom, consistent with her account.
Taylor is currently lodged in the Baker County Jail on a $100,000 bail. He’s due to appear in court this week.
