Newberg woman shot in stomach with rifle

NEWBERG, Ore. -- A 19-year-old man has been charged in the shooting of a Newberg woman Tuesday morning.

Clackamas resident Jeremy Warnke has been charged with recklessly endangering another person. Police said that based on the victim, witness and suspects accounts of what took place, the shooting was unintentional.

The charge stems from an incident that took place just before noon Tuesday when officers from the Newberg-Dundee Police Department were dispatched to the area of 1200 North Meridian Street. As the officers were responding, they learned a woman inside the apartments had actually been shot.

When officers arrived, three of the occupants complied with their request to come out of the residence. The fourth occupant, the 20-year-old female gunshot victim, was found inside. Officers quickly found her and summoned members from the Fire Department to provide medical care.

Members of the fire department assessed the victim's injuries and determined she needed to be flown to a Portland area hospital for care. The victim received a gunshot wound to her abdomen area from a rifle.

During the investigation, Officers learned the victim had handed the rifle to a friend just before being shot. Warnke told police he pulled the trigger because he thought it was unloaded.

Warnke and the victim are acquaintances only and not living together or domestically involved. Neither alcohol nor drugs appeared to be a factor. The name of the victim is being withheld until her family can be notified, police said.

This case will be turned over to the Yamhill County District Attorney's Office for review and any future possible charges.