By News-Register staff • 

Suspect arrested in McMinnville shooting

Christopher Ridenour
Christopher Ridenour

 

McMinnville police have arrested a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history in connection with last Saturday night's shooting in which the victim was shot in the ear.

Christopher Gene Ridenour, 35, of McMinnville, has been charged with one count each of attempted murder, first-degree assault, menacing, possession of weapons by certain felons, unlawful possession of firearms and unlawful use of a weapon.

The charges are a mix of felonies and misdemeanors. Attempted murder and assault are subject to mandatory minimum prison sentences under Measure 11 guidelines.

Ridenour was also in violation of his post-prison supervision and is lodged in the Yamhill County Jail without bail pending arraignment in circuit court.

He was taken into custody Tuesday by a Yamhill County sheriff's deputy on the post-prison violation, according to the jail roster, and charged Wednesday in connection with the shooting. Ridenour's arrest record in  Lincoln, Polk and Yamhill counties dates back to 2000.

Police gave this account of the incident:

About 6:40 p.m., officers responded to the shooting in the area of Northwest Ninth Court and Hickory Street.

They located an unidentified adult male who had been shot. He was transported by McMinnville Fire Department ambulance to the Willamette Valley Medical Center.

It's alleged Ridenour approached the victim, whom he knew, and the two argued. Ridenour fired one round and fled the area prior to the police arriving.

Anyone with information related to the case should call the McMinnville Police Detective Division at 503-434-7307, Ext. 5941, or the department's tipline at 503-434-2337.

It was the third shooting incident in Yamhill County last weekend. The others occurred in Amity and Yamhill. The Amity incident was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

 

 

Comments

Ladyrobbi

Not surprising, if authorities would shut down the houses in that area that sell drugs it would stop the frequent traffic that is constantly on that street. There are many small children that play in the area where this shooting happened.

Bill B

How about an update News Register.

Bill B

I don't know about the rest of you, but a shooting in McMinnville is a big deal to me. This is the third day and still no information.

Paul Daquilante

Bill B . . .

We've reported all the information the McMinnville Police Department is releasing at this time.

However, more details will be forthcoming. I'm uncertain, though, regarding a timetable.

Paul Daquilante / reporter

sbagwell

Those of you interested in getting more information from the McMinnville police in a more timely fashion should contact someone over there. We do what we can to pry information loose.
The contrast with the copious information available on the Yamhill shooting speaks for itself.
Steve

Bill B

Done. I just wrote to the chief.

Paul Daquilante

The McMinnville Police Department has issued a release saying more information will go out tomorrow - Friday.

They noted they are confident there is no danger to the public.

Paul Daquilante / reporter

Paul Daquilante

Tomorrow as in Thursday, not Friday.

My error.

Paul Daquilante

Bill B

from MPD:
Shooting in NW McMinnville **update below**
McMinnville Police Dept. - 11/29/17
On Saturday, November 25, 2017 at 6:40 pm McMinnville Police and Fire/EMS were dispatched to the area of NW 9th and Hickory Street regarding a male adult who was the victim of a gunshot wound. The male was stabilized at the scene and transported to Willamette Valley Medical Center for treatment on his non-life-threatening injuries. The incident remains under investigation and no further details can be released at this time.
update As of 11/29/17 this case is still under active investigation. The McMinnville Police Department anticipates releasing further information on 11/30/17. The Detectives working this case are confident that there is no danger to the public.

sbagwell

I'm not impressed. Almost a week after the fact, we still have an unidentified victim.
In Yamhill, Amity and other communities in Yamhill County, and in rural parts of the county, crime actually happens to real people. And in response, the community often rallies around the victims, showering them with support.
But in McMinnville, it seems, crime only happens to abstractions.
Steve

Bill B

Steve, please correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't public identification of an innocent victim require that person's permission? If so, given the circumstances, the victim may not want his name out there.

I'm really surprised by the lack of comments on here regarding this incident. I would think a shooting in Mac would garner considerable concern. Maybe its due to the area where the incident happened?

sbagwell

Victim identification does not require anyone's permission. It's strictly a matter of public record.
There are possible legal justifications for withholding victim information, but they are narrow and seldom come into legitimate play. And if the department has just a reason, it has not let anyone know.
Steve

ReignJane

@Ladyrobbi The McMinnville Police Department needs to make drug enforcement in McMinnville a priority in order for them to shut down the drug houses. It has been over a year since the department has had a detective assigned to the drug team and yet drug related crimes continue to increase.

ReignJane

@Ladyrobbi The McMinnville Police Department needs to make drug enforcement in McMinnville a priority in order for them to shut down the drug houses. It has been over a year since the department has had a detective assigned to the drug team and yet drug related crimes continue to increase.

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