On September 28th State Police Oregon State Police arrested wanted subject 60-year old Kevan M. Rower of South BEach at the 1010 Building in Newport. Mr. Rower faces charges of Unlawful use weapon (x2), Pointing a firearm at another (x2), Menacing (x2), Disorderly Conduct II, Stalking, Ciminal trespass with a firearm, Criminal Mischief II. These charges stem from an incident where Mr. Rower was shot by Sheriff's Deputy on September 1, 2021. Early that morning 911 dispatch received multiple calls from neighbors on SW Abalone in South Beach that Rower was pointing a rifle at different houses in the neighborhood.
Deputies Akin and Honse responded. Upon arrival Deputies approached Rower and upon observing him with the rifle Deputy Honse told him to put in down. Rower did not comply. Deputy Akin raised his rifle and Deputy Honse again told him to lower his rifle. Rower instead took a few steps then raised his rifle up to his shoulder and pointed it at Deputy Akin. The deputy fired off shots and called out "shots fired". Rower moved into his driveway still holding the rifle. After several more commands to drop his gun he finally complied and sat down with his hands in the air.
Additional deputies arrived and administered first aid to Rower. He sustained three gun shot wounds, one to his calf, one to his thigh and one to his right buttocks. He was transported to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital and his wounds were not fatal. The Lincoln County Major Crime Team was called to investigate, and the Oregon State Police is the lead agency over the investigation. No deputies were injured during the incident.
