Angry Father Shoots 3-Year-Old Son In The Head With High-Powered Pellet Rifle

A 3-year-old boy was shot in the head with a high-powered pellet rifle by his father during a domestic violence incident on Tuesday, June 15.

The boy’s father, 46-year-old Shane Earl Rader, who fled after leaving the child at a hospital was later located and arrested.

According to the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office, a 911 call came in reporting that a 3-year-old boy had been shot at 23635 Northeast Sunnycrest Road of Newberg in Oregon.

While en route, deputies learned the suspect had fled the home with the victim and his 6-year-old brother.

A short while later, deputies were notified that the suspect had fled after dropping the boys at the Newberg Providence Hospital Emergency Department.

Newberg-Dundee police officers located and stopped the suspect on Parrett Mountain Road near Haugen Road, east of Newberg, the sheriff’s office said.

According to a preliminary investigation, the suspect unlawfully entered the home and got into a domestic violence altercation with the mother of the boys. The suspect allegedly threatened to kill the family before shooting the toddler in the head with a high-powered pellet rifle. The pellet entered the skull, causing significant injury, the sheriff's office said.

Witnesses told the investigators that the suspect's wife told him last month that she wanted a divorce, officials said.

Officials said that the suspect was arrested the night before the incident on suspicion of assault and violating a no-contact order. But he was later released after posting bail.

Rader is currently being held in Yamhill County Jail without bail.

He is charged with two counts of attempted aggravated murder, three counts of attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree burglary, domestic violence - strangulation, domestic violence - fourth-degree felony assault, three counts of menacing, three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, criminal mistreatment, violation of release agreement for fourth-degree assault, and violation of release agreement for reckless endangering. He is being held without bail.

The injured child was later airlifted to Legacy Emanuel Hospital where he underwent surgery. He continues in serious condition, the sheriff's office said.