New Vehicle Information in Highway 26 Shooting Investigation

Police hope photo of vehicle of interest and suspect composite sketch will lead them to the shooter.

Police believe the shooter was driving a green Honda Civic from 2001 to 2005. Images: Oregon State Police

(ZIG ZAG, Ore.) - Photos of the vehicle of interest in the December 10th shooting of two men on Highway 26 in the Zig Zag area have been released by Oregon State Police. Investigators recently released a composite drawing of an unidentified suspect to help develop tips in their ongoing investigation.

They are continuing to ask for the public's help in solving this case. State Police Spokesman Gregg Hastings says an area resident contacted Oregon State Police and said he drove by the scene shortly after the victims' van and another vehicle were stopped on the westbound shoulder of Highway 26 east of E. Lolo Pass Road.

"The witness described the vehicle of interest behind the victims' van as a dark green early 2000 model Honda Civic. At this time it is not known if the vehicle was a two or four door model."

Hastings told Salem-News that the witness is familiar with cars like this and that is a plus. "The particular Honda body style was used from 2001 to 2005 and then they changed it in 2006, our witness felt very sure about this being the type of vehicle it was."

Hastings acknowledges that Honda's are a common vehicle on the roads of Oregon, but he said the specific information from the witness helps narrow it down.

Investigators assembled three photographs of similar vehicles that are provided below.

The shooting happened December 10th at approximately 10:00 PM as two men were returning from a day of snowboarding with one of the men's 9-year old son and his friend from school.

33-year old Joseph Langley and 32-year old Joshua Gehrke, both of Gresham, were in their van returning from the snowboarding evening in the Government Camp area westbound on Highway 26.

As they approached the communnity of Rhododendron, a passenger car reportedly began following too closely behind the van and wouldn't pass them even through they were driving in the four-lane section.

Hastings says Langley pulled onto the shoulder and stopped near East Lolo Pass Road to allow the car to drive by, but upon doing so the car stopped on the shoulder behind the van.

"The victims got out of the van and walked toward the car during which a short verbal exchange between the victims and suspect took place. Shortly after, rounds shot from a handgun struck both men."

After being shot, the victims returned to their van and drove a short distance westbound before stopping on the shoulder at the East Lolo Pass Road intersection. The men called 9-1-1 as the suspect drove away possibly westbound.

Oregon State Police, Hoodland Fire Department personnel, AMR ambulance, Clackamas County Sheriff's Department, and ODOT responded to the scene.

Hastings says they want to hear from anyone with information regarding a person matching the composite drawing and the vehicle of interest that was known to be in the Mt. Hood area on December 10th 2007 at approximately 10:00 PM.

Please call Oregon State Police Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-452-7888 and ask for Detective Patti Rhodes.