2 men arrested after shooting at police during high speed chase

At 3:48 am on October 10, 2023, a deputy from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office tried to pull over a 2016 Kia Sorento. Instead of stopping, the car accelerated and fled at high speed toward the city of Gaston. During the chase, one of the three occupants in the car fired a gun at the pursuing deputy. The car reached speeds of over 100 mph, but the deputies were able to utilize spike strips to puncture some of its tires. The car eventually stopped at the intersection of Hwy 47 and East Main Street in Gaston after the chas

The driver, 27-year-old Zachary Phillips, ran away on foot while the other two occupants stayed inside the car and were arrested. Phillips attempted to carjack someone from the community but was unsuccessful.

For the safety of the community, the deputies used a reverse 911 system through the Washington County Consolidated Communication Agency (WCCCA) and requested that the Gaston community members shelter in place.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, along with other law enforcement agencies, searched for Phillips for several hours. At 7:25 am, Phillips was spotted running near the Gaston Fire Station by a deputy who was patrolling the area. He was taken into custody by several deputies and an Oregon State Trooper.

Phillips was treated for minor injuries at the scene and then transported to the Washington County Jail. He was detained on outstanding warrants and several new charges, including felony elude, misdemeanor elude, reckless driving, and two counts of reckless endangering another person.

Detectives are still actively investigating the carjacking incident involving Phillips, and additional charges could be forthcoming.

One of the passengers in the vehicle, 30-year-old James Tijerina, was arrested on several outstanding warrants. Another passenger was in the vehicle but was not arrested.

The gun used to shoot at the deputy during the pursuit was found the following day during the investigation.  

James Tijerina was determined to have shot at the pursuing deputy. Tijerina is currently lodged in the Washington County Jail and facing multiple charges, including:  

• Attempted Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm
• Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a Firearm 
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm  
• False Information to a Police Officer
• Multiple Outstanding Warrants for Failing to Appear in the 1st Degree  
• Supplying Contraband – into a correctional facility 
• Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) – Substantial Quantity  

While Tijerina was being booked into the Washington County Jail, deputies discovered Tijerina concealed two bags of suspected Fentanyl pills on his person. Tijerina was later charged with possession of a controlled substance and supplying contraband into a correctional facility.