Man Fuming Over Hippies Fires On Teens Oregon Town Dealing With Rainbow Family Since 4th

Tensions between local residents and peace-loving Rainbow Family members took an ugly twist when a man was arrested for shooting at a group of youths he assumed were part of the hippie gathering.

Police said Earvin Hoaglen, 29, and his girlfriend, Bonnie Belle Hopfer, 39, were standing in a restaurant parking lot Tuesday night when they began arguing with youngsters they took to be stragglers from the weekend congregation at the Ochoco National Forest.

Hoaglen and Hopfer went home to get a .38-caliber pistol and returned to the parking lot, where Hoaglen told the youths he’d “blow their heads off” if they didn’t shut up, police said.

Hoaglen then fired two shots in the direction of the youths, who were standing across the downtown street. Both shots missed. The couple were arrested a short time later at their home a few blocks away.

As it turned out, the youths weren’t associated with the Rainbow Family gathering. They were Prineville residents.

Hoaglen was charged with attempted murder, attempted assault, unlawful use of a deadly weapon and unlawful possession of a weapon. He was held without bail at the Crook County Jail. Hopfer was released.

District attorney Gary Williams said alcohol was a factor in the incident.

The Rainbow gathering began breaking up earlier this week, and many residents were glad to see them go.

About 20,000 latter-day hippies from around the country descended on the small town for a July 4 weekend of dancing, music and 1960s-style hedonism. During their stay, seven stolen cars were recovered and nearly 100 people were arrested and jailed for short periods, mainly for shoplifting.

Eleven people were arrested for driving while intoxicated, and three others suffered drug overdoses. Ten runaways were found and returned to their parents.