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McMinnville neighborhood pummeled by gunfire, fireworks

Evidence markers litter the 100 block of SW Mt. Mazama Street in McMinnville after a man held police at bay for 3 hours, July 30, 2022 (Yamhill County Sheriff's Office)

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An hours-long incident that included gunshots fired at and by police ended when a man surrendered to McMinnville police Saturday afternoon.

A domestic disturbance was reported in the 100 block of SW Mt. Mazama Street around 10:20 a.m., police said. Officers heard loud explosions and gunfire. They heard from witnesses that a man in a house was “throwing large mortar style fireworks” into the street and backyard.

Neighbors were alerted to shelter in place. Over time, officers learned no one else was in the house but the man — whose name has not yet been released — continued to toss fireworks and mortars outside and fire the gun from inside.

Things escalated around noon when McMinnville officers and Yamhill County deputies reported they were shot at. Two McMinnville officers returned fire and the man went back into the house.

When the Tactical Negotiations Team from Washington County arrived, officers were pulled out of the vicinity and began talking by phone with the man. Around 1:20 p.m. he surrendered, about 3 hours after the incident began.

Evidence markers litter the 100 block of SW Mt. Mazama Street in McMinnville after a man held police at bay for 3 hours, July 30, 2022 (Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office)

Although he was not injured he was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

Investigators noted “multiple neighboring houses” were hit by bullets. Because police returned fire, the Yamhill Major Crimes Response Team was called into the case.

The investigation continues. Officials said no one was injured.

Police did not say if this is related to two separate incidents this week where a homemade explosive device was detonated from a car and another was found in a home’s driveway.