UPDATE: Major Crime Team Investigation – No Ongoing Threat To The Public - 01/04/26

UPDATE: Major Crime Team Investigation – No Ongoing Threat to the Public

Location: Newport  

Date: 01/04/2026

Details:

The Lincoln County Major Crime Team continues to investigate the incident that occurred on Friday, January 2, 2026, at approximately 12:56 a.m. in the 1500 block of NW Grove Street.

As previously reported, Newport Police Officers responded to a disturbance and discovered one adult male deceased from a gunshot wound and another adult male suffering from multiple stab wounds. The investigation determined that 42-year-old Matthew Wonser of Newport was shot by the resident of the home after Wonser continued to stab 33-year-old Shawn Knuckey, also of Newport, on the resident’s front porch. Wonser died at the scene from a single gunshot wound.

Knuckey was transported by air ambulance to a Portland-area hospital, where he remains in critical condition after sustaining numerous stab wounds. Investigators determined that Wonser and Knuckey were not known to one another and that the attack on Knuckey appeared to be random.

During the investigation, identification belonging to 58-year-old Newport resident Robert Peddycoart was found in Wonser’s possession. Investigators conducted a welfare check at a nearby motel where Peddycoart had been staying. After receiving no response, officers entered the room under the Community Caretaking Doctrine and located Peddycoart deceased. Following the issuance of a search warrant, investigators determined that Peddycoart had also been the victim of multiple stab wounds. Wonser and Peddycoart were known acquaintances.

At this time, investigators do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the community related to this incident. The events appear to be isolated, and there are no outstanding suspects.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Upon completion, the case will be forwarded to the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office for review and determination of any potential charging decisions. No arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed at this time

The Lincoln County Major Crime Team is comprised of detectives from the Newport Police Department, Lincoln City Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, and the Lincoln County District Attorney’s office. The investigation has been further supported by the Oregon State Police Crime Lab.

Additional updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

The incident remains under investigation. If you have any information regarding the case, please contact Sgt. Mike Leake of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.

Information Released By: Sgt Leake, 541-574-3348

Citizen Shoots Subject Actively Stabbing Another - 01/02/26

Incident: Citizen shoots subject actively stabbing another

Location: Newport  

Date/Time: 01/02/2026 @12:56 am

Details: On Friday January 2^nd, 2026, at 12:56 AM, Newport Police Officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of NW Grove Street on the report of someone pounding on the door of a residence. When the resident went to the door, they observed a male actively stabbing another male. The resident went back inside, retrieved a handgun and 911 was called. The resident attempted to get the male to stop stabbing the subject, but the male continued to stab the other male and the resident ultimately shot the man who was stabbing the other, and that man died on scene. The stabbing victim was transported to the Hospital and is in a Portland area hospital in critical condition.  

Officers and Deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office arrived and began an investigation, which led to the discovery of another deceased male in the 1800 block of North Coast Highway. The second male was also stabbed.

The Lincoln County Major Crime Team was activated and are currently investigating. There is no further danger to the public.

The Lincoln County Major Crime Team is comprised of detectives from the Newport Police Department, Lincoln City Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police.  

The incident remains under investigation. If you have any information regarding the case, please contact Sgt. Mike Leake of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.

Information Released By: Sgt Leake, 541-574-3348

Stolen Vehicle - 12/22/25

Incident: Stolen Vehicle

Location: 27 S Coast Hwy, Newport

Date/Time: December 18th, 2025 @ 0954 hours

Details: Officers responded to 27 S Coast Hwy on the report of a vehicle that had been stolen while the victim was shopping inside of the business. Newport Officers and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies immediately began searching the area for the vehicle. Officers observed surveillance video of the theft and recognized the suspect as Nicholas Hiseley. A short time later, the vehicle was located in Newport by a Deputy. Deputies and Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on W Olive near NW High Street and identified Hiseley as the driver.  Hiseley was taken into custody without incident and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on the below mentioned charges:

NICHOLAS COPELAND HISELEY, 41, OF NEWPORT

• Theft I
• Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle
• Unlawful Use of a Vehicle
• Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine

The incident remains under investigation. If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Valentine of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.

Information Released By: Sgt. Bales, 541-574-3348

Vehicle Pursuit - 12/11/25

Incident: Vehicle Pursuit

Location: Highway 101 & 150 NE 20^th ST

Date/Time: December 11^th, 2025 @ 1148 hours

Details: On December 11^th, at around 1148 hours, Newport Police Officers received information from area law enforcement agency of vehicle that was suspected to be involved in a burglary from the Waldport, OR area.  Officers were provided surveillance photos detailing the vehicle description.  

While searching the Newport area for the vehicle, a Newport Police officer observed a vehicle matching the description parked in the parking lot of 150 NE 20^th ST, (Fred Meyer).  While the Officer waited for assistance from other Officers, he exited his car to contact the vehicle driver giving him orders to remain in the vehicle.  The driver (later identified as Tyler MULLEN age 32) did not comply with lawful orders and began to leave in the vehicle.  MULLEN drove over a curb and fled the area in the vehicle traveling out of the parking lot and then northbound on Highway 101.        

The Officer returned to his patrol car and attempted to stop MULLEN with his lights and sirens.  MULLEN refused to stop and continued driving northbound on Hwy 101 at a high rate of speed.  At Highway 101 and NW 25^th ST intersection, Mullen clipped a vehicle in the turn lane causing minor damage causing no injuries to the vehicle’s driver and did not stop. 

Officers continued to pursue MULLEN on the highway and were able to contact partnering agencies ahead of the pursuit to setup tire spike strips.  MULLEN drove over the spike strips causing damage to his multiple tires.  The vehicle eventually suffered loss of traction near SE 51 ST in Lincoln City, OR and would not travel any further.  MULLEN exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot where he was ultimately restrained by construction workers at the scene. MULLEN was placed under arrest and refused to identify himself.

MULLEN was transported to the Lincoln County Jail where he was fingerprinted revealing his identity along with providing of photograph of him. This revealed he had active warrants for his arrest for a probation violation out of the Oregon State Parole Board.     

In addition to the arrest warrant, MULLEN was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail for the following charges:

Tyler MULLEN, 32

• Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer (Felony)
• Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer (Misdemeanor)
• Failure to Carry or Present a license
• Reckless Driving
• Reckless Endangering (x2)
• Failure to Perform Duties of a Driver (Misdemeanor x2)

The Newport Police Department would like to thank the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln City Police Department and the Oregon State Police for their assistance during this incident.

The incident remains under investigation.  If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Mangum of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.

Information Released By: Lieutenant Gainer, 541-574-3348