A 49-year-old Molalla man who shot bullets from a high-powered rifle from his Main Street home into a 15-year-old girl’s bedroom, a construction worker’s truck and a police car has pleaded guilty to multiple crimes that could yield him a seven-year prison sentence.
Brian Scott Mills pleaded guilty in Clackamas County Circuit Court Thursday to attempted first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and first-degree criminal mischief. He also pleaded no contest to second-degree assault, after shrapnel lodged in the construction worker’s neck and back. Mills is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 3.
In his defense, Mills said he was diabetic and hadn’t had enough to eat and had downed tequila before he opened fire on Oct. 4, 2021. It was a Monday morning, and the shooting caused police to shut down Main Street and school officials to lock down the nearby middle school.
The episode unfolded when police showed up to Mills’ home, in response to a neighbor who called 911 because he believed Mills needed medical help. Police and prosecutors said that while there, Mills seemed agitated and began putting on body armor, prompting police and paramedics to leave his home.
Authorities say Mills began shooting out of his bedroom toward the street, striking the construction worker with shrapnel as he parked his truck, shattering the glass windows of a police car and piercing through the wall of the teenage girl’s bedroom while she sat on her bed looking at her phone.
In all, investigators believe Mills shot eight rounds from a .50-caliber rifle.
Police said they found about 150 loaded guns in Mills’ home.
Thursday, Clackamas County Circuit Judge Kathie Steele accepted Mills’ pleas after a settlement conference. He had been scheduled for trial in late November.
— Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com; @o_aimee
