Pendleton stabbing prompts retaliatory firebombing
By LAURIE WELCH
The Times News
Saturday, September 19, 2009 11:15 PM PDT
PENDLETON (AP) — A Pendleton home was firebombed late Thursday in retaliation for the fatal stabbing of a young man, police said.
The explosive struck the porch between the front door and a large window, scorching a stroller and a porch swing. There were no injuries, said Lt. Mark Swanson, who confirmed the bombing was payback for the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Manuel Nomee.
The house is occupied by Alice Sumerlin. She said the place was targeted because she and her family have cared for Cody Speedis for the past three years. Speedis, 17, is one of the suspects authorities have charged with participating in the deadly stabbing that involved as many as nine people from two groups and different families.
‘‘There are babies in this house,’’ a shaken Sumerlin told the East Oregonian newspaper of Pendleton.
Swanson said no arrests had been made. Detectives and Pendleton Fire Marshal Tyler Nokes have gathered evidence to be sent to an Oregon State Police labs for analysis.
‘‘The problem is at this point, we don’t know who is retaliating from what side,’’ Swanson said.
Speedis is the youngest of three suspects the state has accused of being involved in Nomee’s death. He’s in a juvenile jail in The Dalles on charges of unlawful use of mace and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors.
His older brother, 19-year-old Waylon Speedis, is accused of intentional murder, manslaughter and riot. Tyler Neff, 18, is charged with assault and riot.
Both adult suspects are in the Umatilla County jail.
Police said Nomee was stabbed Sunday on the Bedford Bridge, a walkway linking the Pendleton Round-Up grounds and a street below the high school. The bridge is a hangout for young people.
———
Information from: East Oregonian, http://www.eastoregonian.info
My goodness wrote on Sep 21, 2009 9:33 PM: