Young Mitchell resident found shot

From the Times-Journal, September 29, 1994

A 23-year old Mitchell man has died from an apparent gun-shot wound in southern Wheeler County, according to Wheeler County District Attorney Thomas Cutsforth.

James Phillip Brooks went for a horseback ride on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 20. He was reported missing Wednesday afternoon, and the Sheriff's Search and Rescue team commenced a search of the remote area which continued throughout the night.

Additional resources, including the Grant County Air Search unit, Warm Springs SAR unit, and Warm Springs 4-H SAR team were brought to assist. Brooks' body was found at 7:10 a.m. by elements of the Warm Springs tracking teams.

An autopsy performed at the State Medical Examiner's Office in Portland Saturday morning established that Brooks was killed instantly when struck in the chest with a round from a high-powered rifle.

The incident is being treated as a homicide, and investigators are asking that anyone who discharged a rifle in the Bear-Away Meadow area near Waterman Flat Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 20, or know of anyone who did, to contact an Oregon State Police office or the Wheeler County Sheriff's office, 503-763-4101.

A reward of $35,000 is being offered by the Mitchell community, local land owners, and the Brooks family for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Persons wishing to contribute to the reward fund may call 503-462-3298 or 503-462-3674.

Further details are bring withheld pending a joint investigation by the Oregon State Police and the Wheeler County Sheriff's Office.