PORTLAND, Ore. — A city council member for Camas has been charged with assault after allegedly throwing a rock and pointing a gun at a fisherman along the Washougal River Greenway.
Around 7:52 a.m., Aug. 31, Camas police responded to a call on the Washougal River Greenway between Northeast 3rd Loop and Goot Park.
John Vincent Svilarich, 66, who was walking with a friend over the bridge, confronted a fisherman for discarding a cigarette butt while standing near the river.
“They both yelled and cussed at each other,” court documents said.
Witnesses then saw Svilarich throw a rock toward the man from the bridge, which is approximately 50 or more feet above the river. The rock landed a few feet away from the fisherman. According to court documents, this caused another verbal dispute between the pair and both men went to meet each other near the path.
The fisherman, now standing 40 feet or more away from Svilarich, confronted him for throwing the rock. Svilarich then pulled out a black pistol and pointed it in the direction of the man, court documents said. At that point, the man retreated to the riverbank and called 911.
When officers caught up with Svilarich a short time later, he had a “black Walther 9mm, semi-automatic” pistol with him. According to court documents, Svilarich originally denied having a firearm, but then stated, “he had one but did not display it,” then said he had pulled it out but had it at “low ready” to protect himself.
Svilarich denied pointing the gun at the fisherman when talking with officers. He later admitted to throwing the rock off the bridge but stated he did not know that the man was near where it landed, court documents said.
On Wednesday, Svilarich was charged with second-degree assault and reckless endangerment. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 19.
Svilarich joined the Camas City Council on Jan. 2 and his term ends Dec. 31, 2027. According to the city, Svilarich has joined the last two regular meetings via video.
