Man Arrested After Pulling A Gun On A Driver

On Monday May 12th, 2025 at 9:16 am Newport Police Officers were dispatched to Walmart on a report of a male subject pointing a firearm at another person. Police investigation showed that 68-year-old Dee Helm of Lincoln City got into a verbal altercation in the Walmart parking lot with another driver over a driving complaint. After exchanging words with the other driver, Helm got out of his car and retrieved a handgun from the back of his car and began pointing it at the occupants of the other car as they began to drive away.

The car was occupied by two adults and two children, aged 2 and 10-months old. Helm began following the car on foot, while still in possession of the firearm. Helm was stopped and detained by Newport Officers and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies, who responded to assist, as he was attempting to leave the parking lot. A search warrant was obtained to search his car and a firearm was recovered from within. Helm was taken into custody and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on the following charges:

Menacing X2

Unlawful Use of a weapon X4

Pointing a firearm at another X4

Reckless Endangering X4

Disorderly Conduct II

The incident remains under investigation. If you have any information regarding the case, please contact Officer Grippin of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.