A Juniper Hall resident stabbed his roommate several times in an apparently unprovoked attack at Juniper Hall late on Oct. 31, police said.

Bend Police responded to the reported stabbing in the residence hall at Central Oregon Community College shortly after midnight, according to Sgt. John Lawrence.

Police arrived to find 18-year-old James Briles in the hallway of the residence hall, suffering from multiple stab wounds believed to be caused by a knife, according to Lawrence in a news release on Nov. 1.

Bend paramedics rushed Briles to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. Briles remains in the hospital in critical condition, according to hospital officials.

Eric Norgaard, 22-year-old Juniper Hall resident was arrested in his dorm room and booked into the Deschutes County Jail on charges of attempted murder, first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

“Up to this point in the investigation, the attack appears to have been unprovoked,” Lawrence said in the news release this morning.

In his 23 years with the college, COCC director of College Relations, Ron Paradis said this event is “by far the worst” crime or attack he can remember happening on the Bend campus.

According to Lawrence, several other Juniper Hall residents witnessed the attack or its aftermath.

“A Central Oregon Police Chaplain responded to the scene in order to assist residents in dealing with this traumatic incident,” Lawrence said. “This appears to be an isolated attack, and there is no indication that residents/students are in any danger.”

Counseling will continue to be available for students through COCC’s contract with St. Charles Bend.

As of Nov. 3, Briles condition had improved to fair condition.

On Sunday, COCC Interim President Shirley Metcalf sent this notice to all students;

Dear COCC Students:

I want to update you on an incident that took place in Juniper Hall early yesterday morning.

Two of our residents were involved in an incident in which one stabbed the other several times. The victim was taken to the hospital and is recovering. Our hearts go out to Jim Briles who is being treated at St. Charles Medical Center and to his family.

The other student, Eric Norgaad, was taken into police custody and charged with attempted murder and assault. He will not be returning to Juniper Hall or to the College.

This is a tragic disruption to our living community and one that is disturbing to us all. In their own press release, however, the Bend Police noted that this is an isolated incident, and they see no danger to others on the COCC campus. We will continue to do all we can to keep the campus safe. We ask that you check in with students and if they express concern, please have them contact Juniper Hall staff or contact the CAP Center directly.

We had professional counselors on site to meet with residence hall students last night and will do everything possible to support our students in the days and weeks to come.

I do want to thank the Juniper Hall staff, in particular, and those in Student Life, Campus Public Safety and the Custodial staff  who responded promptly, professionally and with our students’ needs in mind.

Sincerely,

Dr. Shirley I. Metcalf, Interim President

Central Oregon Community College

On Monday, OSU-Cascades Vice President, Becky Johnson sent this notice to all students

Dear OSU-Cascades Students:

Many of you may already be aware of an incident that took place in Juniper Hall, COCC’s residence hall, this weekend.

Early Saturday morning two student residents were involved in an incident in which one stabbed the other several times. The victim was taken to St. Charles Medical Center and is recovering. Our thoughts are with COCC student Jim Briles and his family as he continues to recover.

The other student, Eric Norgaad, was taken into police custody and charged with attempted murder and assault. The Bend Police noted that this is an isolated incident, and see no danger to others on the COCC campus.

I join COCC Interim President Shirley Metcalf in recognizing the seriousness of this incident and our concern for the safety and welfare of students of the OSU-Cascades and COCC communities.

The COCC staff is doing all they can to keep the campus safe, including having professional counselors on site shortly after the incident and available to meet with residence hall students.

The faculty and staff of OSU-Cascades join the COCC community in supporting these students in the days and weeks to come.

If you are a student and would like confidential assistance in dealing with concerns around (Let’s get a stock photo of both presidents for graphics, and a view of Juniper hall. I think we have some stock interior shots.) this event, please contact OSU-Cascades Counseling Services at 541-322-3162.

Sincerely,

Becky Johnson

Molly Svendsen | The Broadside
(Contact: [email protected])