PORT ANGELES — Bail was set at $250,000 Thursday for a Sequim man who allegedly fired a shot at a person on South Barr Road and brandished the 9mm semi-automatic handgun at another resident early Wednesday.
Keith Roberson, 55, is being held for investigation of first- and second-degree assault with a firearm for an incident that alarmed neighbors but resulted in no injuries.
Formal charges are expected to be filed at Roberson’s next court appearance at 1 p.m. Monday.
Clallam County Superior Court Judge Christopher Melly granted the state’s request for bail, saying he had concerns about community safety.
“The reality is that you did run through a neighborhood banging on doors,” Melly told Roberson.
“You gained entry to one home. You allegedly cracked off a round at an individual, missing by about 8 feet.”
Melly denied a request from the county Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to require Roberson to have a mental health evaluation should he post bail.
“I can’t make bail,” Roberson said.
Clallam County sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a suspicious person prowling the neighborhood off U.S. Highway 101 between Port Angeles and Sequim at 4:12 a.m. Wednesday.
One caller reported seeing a man on a porch crying after being chased through the woods.
Dispatchers received more calls about shots being fired in the area, deputies said.
One caller said he had heard a man yelling for help in the 400 block of South Barr Road and that he was confronted by Roberson as he ran to help a neighbor, deputies said.
Roberson allegedly aimed and fired the gun at the man from about 40 feet away, missing him by about 8 feet. The bullet left a hole in a nearby fence, deputies said.
Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King said Roberson was going from house to house knocking on doors before entering a residence on the 300 block of South Barr Road.
Roberson allegedly pointed the gun at the resident, who had grandchildren staying with him, and said, “If I’m going out, I’m not going out alone,” deputies said.
With help from Port Angeles and Sequim police officers, deputies located an armed Roberson in a carport, where he eventually surrendered.
Roberson’s erratic behavior suggested he may have taken a “stimulant-type drug” prior to the incident, King said.
Roberson was evaluated at Olympic Medical Center before he was booked into jail.
Deputies continued to investigate the alleged shooting Thursday, King said.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to phone Sheriff’s Detective Shaun Minks at 360-417-2208.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
