La Pine man, 79, surrenders, arrested on charges of pointing gun at family; neighbors advised to shelter in place

(Update: Suspect's name; 10 initial formal charges)

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A 79-year-old La Pine man who allegedly pointed a gun at other family members during a domestic dispute surrendered and was arrested on several charges Tuesday night after neighbors were advised to shelter in place, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

Deputies were dispatched around 8:30 p.m. to a home in the 50700 block of South Fawn Drive, Sergeant Kyle Kalmbach said.

It was reported that the man, identified as Albert Lee Mendenhall, was holding a gun and pointing it at other family members on scene, the sergeant said.

Family members were able to safely leave the property and meet up with responding deputies. Kalmbach said deputies were able to contact Mendenhall by phone, and he agreed to surrender and turned himself over to deputies without further incident.

During the incident, Deschutes County 911 sent a message to residents in the neighborhood to shelter in place.

The Deschutes Alert notification around 8:40 p.m. from the sheriff's office indicated, "There is an active law enforcement presence in the area" and advised, "Please shelter in place or avoid the area until further notice." A subsequent notice sent nearly an hour later lifted the order.

Mendenhall was booked into the county jail on three counts each of unlawful use of a weapon, menacing and pointing a firearm at another.

Before a Wednesday afternoon arraignment, the district attorney's office filed 10 initial formal felony and misdemeanor charges against Mendenhall that include an additional charge of coercion.

Kalmbach said the sheriff’s office would like to thank the Sunriver Police Department and Oregon State Police for their assistance.

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