Press Release
Date: February 3, 2023
Topic: Hood River Police Respond to Shots Fired
From: Neal Holste, Chief of Police
For Release: Immediately
On February 2, 2023 Hood River Police Officers responded to a call of a man who demanded Police response for what he referred to as a dangerous situation that had potential to escalate. When Police arrived to meet with the man he explained his son, identified as Simeon Hill, 42, of Hood River, was a combat veteran with access to multiple firearms. The man also advised the officers Simeon had fired a gun in their residence shortly before Police arrived.
As Officers were speaking with the father they heard several gun shots being fired from the area of Hill’s residence, located at 2510 Viento Ln. When Officers moved in closer to the residence they could hear several more shots being fired from the residence. Officers reported shots being fired over their head in the direction of nearby businesses.
Law enforcement evacuated businesses and residences in the area of 20th & Cascade Ave. to Rand & Cascade Ave. The Oregon State Police and Clackamas County SWAT responded to assist local law enforcement. After several hours of negotiating, Hill emerged from his residence and surrendered to Police. Hill was taken into custody and ultimately transported to a medical facility. Several firearms and ammunition were seized from Hill’s residence. This case will be reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office for charges including Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Reckless Endangering and Disorderly Conduct.
The Hood River Police Department would like to thank our regional law enforcement partners, which include Hood River Sheriff’s Office, Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Bingen-White Salmon Police Department, The Dalles Police Department, Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia River Inter-tribal Fisheries Enforcement, Northern Oregon Regional Tactical Response Team (NORTAC), Oregon State Police, and Hood River Fire & EMS. We would also like to thank the Hood River Public Works, Oregon Department of Transportation and the Columbia Area Transit (CAT).