A quiet Sunday afternoon turned terrifying when a man drove his pickup truck through the steel gate of an RV and self-storage facility in Sherwood, Oregon, and started shooting at people inside. Among the targets was a couple who were inside their motorhome at the time. As bullets slammed into their rig—at least eight shots—the RVers hid from bullets. They dropped to the floor and stayed there, hoping to survive.
RVers hide from bullets; eyewitness can’t believe what’s happening
“It’s unbelievable … I’ve never seen anything like it in my life,” one witness told local station KGW. “You can see all the bullet holes and count them up.”
Police later identified the shooter as 41-year-old Travis Lee Blumhagen. He’s now facing two counts of attempted murder, plus charges related to using his vehicle as a weapon. Officials say more charges are likely.
Reckless driving leads to gate crash and shooting
The shooting happened around 4:22 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, at a facility near Southwest Langer Farms Parkway. It followed a series of 911 calls reporting reckless driving in the Tigard and Sherwood areas. Witnesses said the man rammed a 3-inch-thick steel gate to get into the storage lot. Once inside, he pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots.
One man working nearby narrowly escaped after the shooter opened fire in his direction. He managed to run and hide inside a storage unit. But the couple inside the RV didn’t have time to run—they simply hit the floor and stayed down as bullets tore through their vehicle.
Suspect opens fire on police after ramming cop car, injuring officer
Police from Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin, King City, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded quickly. As officers arrived, the suspect tried to leave the scene. According to police, he allegedly reversed his vehicle and rammed a patrol car, badly damaging the vehicle and injuring the officer inside.
Blumhagen then reportedly fired his handgun again, prompting a Tualatin officer to return fire. Remarkably, no one was hit by the bullets. The suspect then climbed through the sunroof of his truck and gave himself up.
Both the officer and the suspect were treated at a hospital and released. Blumhagen is now in jail in Washington County and appeared in court Monday, though he did not enter a plea. A hearing to decide whether he stays in jail while awaiting trial is set for next week.
Not suspect’s first violent rodeo
Court records show Blumhagen has a history of legal trouble, including reckless driving and violent behavior. He was already facing charges from 2024, including pointing a firearm at people, strangulation, and domestic violence-related assault. One of those cases was headed for trial in September. The other was scheduled for a plea hearing just days after this incident.
Anyone who saw the shooting or has information is asked to call Tigard police at 503-718-COPS or email tips@tigard-or.gov.
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RVT1217b
The location of this incident that you stated is incorrect. Tigard is approximately four miles from where it occurred in Sherwood, Oregon. This is the facility where I store my 2024 Bigfoot 21’er. I checked my rig yesterday. No bullet holes. Yay!!!
Thanks, Ron. It’s been corrected. I’m glad to hear your rig didn’t get shot! Have a good afternoon/evening. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Well, this is eye-opening. We plan to be in that vicinity in early September (days after visiting with y’all). I hope that we don’t invite this guy’s ire while we are there if he isn’t locked up somewhere at the time. Whew! Have a great day and safe travels!
A rope is in order.
With Blumhagen’s record and current offenses the hearing for detention next week should be swift and severe. He should not be released on any kind of bond. He is a danger to society. I hope the judge is wise and looks out for OUR rights over his.