Two nabbed in sign-shooting incident

Two Sisters youths have confessed to shooting holes through a McKenzie Scenic Byway sign on Highway 242 last March.

An investigation by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Forest Service turned up a suspect in the incident and a deputy interviewed the young man at the Sisters Sheriff's Station last month.

According to sheriff's office reports, the young man, 17 at the time of the incident, admitted that he and a friend had shot holes in the sign with his father's 12-gauge shotgun.

Empty shell casings were recovered from the scene and the deputy showed the young man how well they matched other casings taken from a site where the youth had been target shooting at a later date.

The young man said he was sorry and would like to repay the damage.

According to Jeff Sims of the Sisters Ranger District, it would cost $4,000 to replace the sign and about $500 to patch it.

The deputy referred the case to the Deschutes County District Attorney for prosecution, possibly as first degree criminal mischief.

The young man declined to identify his accomplice, a juvenile, but said he would talk to the youth, who would likely come in voluntarily.

The deputy did talk to that youth several days later and he confirmed that he and his friend had each shot the sign twice.

The deputy cited him into the JET program on a charge of Criminal Mischief I.

According to sheriff's office reports, there also appeared to be some holes in the sign made by 9mm bullets.

While one of the youths reportedly owns a 9mm handgun, he said he did not have it with him at the time of the incident and denied creating anything but the shotgun damage.