Homeowner shoots at man dumping raw sewage in neighborhood

OLYMPIA, Wash. — An outraged homeowner is accused of shooting at a man who was dumping raw sewage from an RV right in front of his house.

"I don't blame the guy for shooting him, honestly,” said Chris Eagles.

Homeowners on 20th Lane Northwest in Olympia said this isn’t the first time someone’s dumped sewage in the neighborhood.

"The guy did it before. He's been warned. I think he probably just lost it, he had enough this morning. Enough was enough,” said Megan Haupel.

A trail of white powder covered the street Thursday afternoon where the man emptied his tank.

"I thought that was disgusting. There's no reason for it,” said Haupel. "That's where little kids go and hang out. They don't want them getting into that kind of mess."

Neighbors had to wash off the sewage themselves. They used cleaner to help kill the germs.

"Our neighbors aren't violent people at all, so it surprises me that someone actually came out and did something,” said Haupel.

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office released surveillance video of the shooting.

Video shows a pickup truck attempting to block the RV in. When the RV driver doesn’t stop, the homeowner shoots at a tire, then pulls the trigger four more times.

Richard DeForge was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault.

"The nature of dumping raw sewage, in this case, didn't lead to what would be legally considered as a defensible right to use a firearm,” said Lt. Ray Brady, of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

Brady said a bullet fragment hit the RV driver's head. The man was taken to a hospital, treated and released.

KIRO 7 found his trailer parked down the road, but the man wasn't there.
Neighbors said he better not come back.

"I don't have a gun, so I wouldn't shoot him, but I'd definitely give him my two cents' worth, anyways,” said Eagles.

DeForge is scheduled to appear in Thurston County court Friday.

Deputies said it’s unknown whether or not the man who illegally dumped the sewage will be charged.

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