Linn County, OR. — The Linn County Sheriff’s Office reports that deputies responded at approximately 9:20 p.m. Monday to a domestic disturbance in the 29200 block of Berlin Road outside Sweet Home.
According to Sheriff Michelle Duncan, a female caller contacted the Linn County 911 Center to report that her spouse, James Clair Miller, 41, had assaulted her. While deputies were en route, the caller advised dispatchers she had four children under the age of 10 with her in a vehicle and that Miller had been seen exiting a shop with a firearm.
Dispatchers instructed the woman to leave the property with the children. As they attempted to depart, Miller reportedly shattered a vehicle window and fired multiple rounds in an unknown direction. The woman and children then fled on foot down a long driveway, where they were met and secured by responding deputies. Additional gunfire was heard from the property shortly thereafter.
Miller’s location was initially unknown. Several minutes later, he began yelling and firing additional rounds, prompting deputies to evacuate nearby residences and establish a perimeter. Law enforcement from multiple agencies—including Oregon State Police and the Sweet Home Police Department—responded to assist. Due to the rural terrain, long driveway, and limited visibility, drones were deployed to help locate and monitor Miller’s movements.
The Linn County Regional SWAT Team responded with armored vehicles, joined by Oregon State Police SWAT, to protect the public and officers while attempting to take Miller into custody. Authorities report Miller continued moving around the property with multiple firearms, firing shots into the air and igniting fireworks, some of which were only visible via drone footage.
Miller later attempted to flee into nearby woods on an ATV but crashed and returned to the area near the residence. Deputies and troopers contacted him, but he was uncooperative. Law enforcement used non-lethal force, including sponge rounds and tasers, before taking him into custody. He was treated by medics at the scene and transported to the Linn County Jail.
A search warrant was executed on the property, resulting in the seizure of thirteen firearms—including handguns, rifles, and shotguns—along with live ammunition and spent casings scattered across the grounds.
Miller was lodged on charges including Reckless Endangering, Assault IV–Domestic (felony), Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Contempt of Court for violating a restraining order, and Criminal Mischief I. The investigation remains ongoing.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office stated that all responding law enforcement personnel exercised restraint and professionalism during the incident, emphasizing that drone technology played a critical role in assessing the situation and resolving it without the use of lethal force.
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