Man shot by Lane County deputy charged
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A man shot by a Lane County sheriff's deputy after allegedly pulling a gun on him in December has been indicted on felony charges including arson, menacing and unlawful use of a weapon.
Fifty-seven-year-old Bix Barker pleaded not guilty on Tuesday. Deputy Jason Wilson shot Barker three times after deputies arrived to investigate reports of flames coming from Barker's pickup.
Lane County prosecutors said deputies properly feared for their safety when they saw Barker allegedly waving a lighter near a propane tank then raising a rifle toward Wilson.
Barker was hit near his shoulders and in the leg and was in a wheelchair at his court appearance. Wilson has been cleared of wrongdoing.
Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com
(Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.)
