Threatening Others on the Oregon Coast, June 10

On May 16, 2014, Newport Police Officers were dispatched to 340 NE 4th Street on the report of a male subject at the location talking about killing others and possessing a firearm. The witness told Police Officers the male subject, later identified as Mark Alan Ghormley, age 46 of Eddyville, had arrived and tried to enter the business, which was closed and locked. When the witness confronted Ghormley, Ghormley told the witness that he needed to get inside the business. The witness told Police Officers that Ghormley made threats that, “…people were going to die”. According to the witness, Ghormley said he was serious about the threats, opening his jacket to reveal a wooden-handle pistol. Ghormley fled the area prior to police arrival.  On June 5, 2014, the Newport Police Department received information that Ghormley had made additional statements about his intent to harm large numbers of persons in Newport and the surrounding area.  Newport Police applied for and received an arrest warrant for Ghormley, as well as a search warrant for Ghormley’s vehicle and residence.  On June 6, 2014, at about 3:50 p.m., Newport Police Officers, along with, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, and the Toledo Police Department, worked together to conduct a high-risk traffic stop on Ghormley as he left his residence in his vehicle. Officers stopped Ghormley on Hwy 20, near Neal Loop, just east of Toledo.  Mark Alan Ghormley was arrested at the scene for the following charges: Menacing, Disorderly Conduct 2nd Degree, and Unlawful Possession of Firearms. Ghormley was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Lincoln County Jail, with bail set at $50,000.00.  Participating officers then served the search warrant at Ghormley’s residence in Eddyville. During the execution of the warrant, officers located four firearms, including two high-capacity rifles and a hunting rifle, nearly 500 rounds of rifle ammunition, and a blasting cap.  The firearms and ammunition were seized and transported to the Newport Police Department. The Oregon State Police Bomb Squad responded to remove the blasting cap.  This investigation is continuing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Officer Richard Auborn at 541-574-3348.