On Monday May 12th, 2025 at 9:16 am Officers from the Newport Police Department were dispatched to Walmart on a report of a male subject pointing a firearm at another person.
After an investigation it was determined that 68-year-old Lincoln City resident, Dee Helm, got into a verbal altercation in the Walmart parking lot with another driver over a driving complaint. After exchanging words with the other driver, Helm exited his vehicle and retrieved a handgun from the back of his vehicle, pointing it at the occupants of the other vehicle as they began to drive away. Helm then began following the vehicle, on foot, while still in possession of the firearm. The vehicle Helm was pointing the firearm at was occupied by two adults and two children, ages 2 and 10 months old.
Helm was stopped and detained by Newport Officers and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies, who responded to assist, as he was attempting to leave the parking lot. A search warrant to search Helm’s vehicle was obtained and a firearm was recovered from within. Helm was taken into custody and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on the following charges:
Menacing X2
Unlawful Use of a weapon X4
Pointing a firearm at another X4
Reckless Endangering X4
Disorderly Conduct II
The incident remains under investigation. If you have any information regarding the case, please contact Officer Grippin of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.
