NEWBERG, Ore. — On Wednesday evening, shots were fired at the Newberg Public Library, targeting a Pride flag in the window. Library officials believe BB gun pellets were fired, breaking a window; the flag itself was not damaged.
Library staff said they hang the Pride flag every year during June for Pride Month. The shooting comes just five days into the month of June.
"I was angry, and I was also profoundly disappointed that someone would do this," Will Worthey, Newberg’s city manager, said.
The shooting happened along East Hancock Street, just outside the library, city officials said. It happened when the library was still open, just after 7 pm.
As of Thursday evening, the suspect, a juvenile, has been arrested, according to Newberg-Dundee Police Department. The case is being referred to the Yamhill County Juvenile Department for prosecution.
Police are not yet sure if the shooter was driving by the library or walking past it when they targeted the flag. However, they are investigating the shooting as a possible bias crime, police said. Authorities are also collecting surveillance footage from the library and surrounding businesses as well.
“It’s clearly a pathetic act,” Worthey said of the shooting.
"We take a harder look at these cases," Daniel Fouch, a detective with the Newberg-Dundee Police Department, said.
Recently, Newberg has had a slew of anti-LGBTQ incidents. Three years ago, the Newberg School Board banned Pride flags. Then in 2022, a person was captured on surveillance video burning a Newberg resident's Pride flag.
"We have had things that have gone on in the recent past that are negative,” Newberg Mayor Bill Rosacker said. “But the people of Newberg love people."
Now, Rosacker said his community needs to stand up to hate.
"Our town, like all towns, need to stand up for what is right," Rosacker said.
City leaders hope the shooter has to pay for the damage.
“I’m hoping that someone has to pay restitution for this,” Worthey said.