ST. HELENS, OR (KPTV) -
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office arrested Robert Terry, 21, after a five-hour standoff at a St. Helens home.
Investigators said Terry shot his mom, Dana Terry, and then barricaded himself inside their home on the 1000 block of Railroad Avenue on Sunday night.
When deputies arrived, they said Dana Terry came out of the house with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the stomach.
Deputies spent more than five hours trying to make contact with Robert Terry, but he did not respond.
Terry was arrested just before 10 p.m. after an officer spotted him in the fields surrounding the home.
Dana Terry was taken to Legacy Emanuel in critical condition. On Monday, neighbors said her condition was improving.
Authorities have not released the motive for the shooting. Robert Terry does not have a criminal record. Deputies have not previously responded to calls at the family's home.
"I don't think he intentionally did it. She loves her son very much," said neighbor Beverly Lundy, who has known Dana Terry for two years.
"She always talked highly, that he had a job - he worked at the hay plant," said Lundy. "She just talked highly of him, nothing bad to say. She's a really good mother."
On Sunday, a friend of Robert Terry described his relationship with his mother as "amazing."
"He would lend a hand to anybody," said Holly McCartney. "He's definitely the most amazing best friend you could ever ask for."
Robert Terry is being held in jail on charges of first-degree assault, menacing, recklessly endangering another person and pointing a firearm at another person. He is being held on $118,000 bond and is expected in court on Tuesday.
Copyright 2012 KPTV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
Courtesy: Billie Singleton
