UPDATE: One in Custody over Fatal Columbia County Shooting

The victim is 29-year old Darrell K. Schoonover lf Vernonia.

Photo: Columbia County Sheriff

(BIRKENFELD, Ore.) - Investigators in a Columbia County homicide investigation have one suspect in custody over a shooting death from early this morning.

They say 31-year old Desmond W. Hines of Birkenfeld, is in custody at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Charges are pending the results of an ongoing investigation.

Columbia County Sheriff's deputies and officers from additional police agencies conducting the investigation have identified the deceased as 29-year old Darrell K. Schoonover lf Vernonia. The case is being investigated as a homicide.

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The Columbia County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to a reported shooting in the Birkenfeld area this morning at 1:06 a.m.

This is a rural location in northwest Columbia County near the Clatsop County line. Responding deputies and officers found one person dead at the scene, according to Columbia County Sheriff Jeff Dickerson.

He says law enforcement from the sheriff's office, the Oregon State Police and the City of Clatskanie responded. The first responding officer arrived at 1:39 a.m.

"The sheriff's office has activated the Columbia County Major Crimes Team. Investigators from the sheriff's office, the Oregon State Police, the Scappoose Police Department, the St. Helens Police Department and the Rainier Police Department are currently in the very preliminary stages of their investigation," Dickerson said.

They do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the community.

No other details are being released at this time.