In a strange and alarming case from Oregon, a 25-year-old man named Dylan Levi Rhoads has been sentenced to over seven years in prison. The incident began when he was caught harassing a group of wild peacocks and ended with him shooting at a stranger who asked him to stop. The case has raised serious concerns about repeat criminal behavior and public safety.
What Happened?
On September 29, 2023, a man was leaving his home for work when he saw Dylan Rhoads and another person disturbing a group of wild peacocks across the street. When the man asked them to stop, Rhoads and his friend responded aggressively.
They reportedly mocked the victim by making chicken noises and said threatening things like, “Bock, bock, bock, you next,” and “We can bang right now.”
Shooting Incident
The victim went back inside his home for a short while, hoping the trouble would pass. But as he left again to go to work, he noticed that Rhoads and his friend were waiting nearby in their car at an intersection. Shockingly, Rhoads, who was driving, fired several bullets at the victim.
Thankfully, the man survived the attack. He was only grazed by bullets and was saved by a heavy-duty driver’s seat in his car, which blocked one of the bullets. However, police found five shell casings at the scene and multiple bullet holes in the victim’s car.
Investigation and Arrest
Police used video from a Ring camera in the area to help track down Rhoads’ vehicle. Within days, they located and arrested him. Authorities say that Rhoads already had eight other cases against him, mostly related to reckless driving and other dangerous behavior.
Court Ruling and Sentence
Last week, a Multnomah County judge sentenced Rhoads to 90 months in prison (which is 7.5 years). He pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder and unlawful use of a weapon. The judge also handled the other pending cases during this hearing.
Concerns About the Justice System
Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer expressed serious concern after the case. He said that Rhoads had a long record of dangerous behavior, and the justice system had let him out multiple times before this final incident. “The system failed both the victims and the defendant,” Palmer said.