In the late hours of August 10, 2023, Taylor Shae Wyss, a 33-year-old Caucasian male from Bend, Oregon, was fatally shot. The incident unfolded on the sidewalk in front of Duda's Billiards Bar in downtown Bend. Authorities have stated that Wyss was not involved in the initial altercation that led to the shooting.
The dispute reportedly began inside the bar, leading to the ejection of 20-year-old Caleb Joseph Cegers and his girlfriend, Sadie Madalyn Cole.
The conflict then spilled outside, where Wyss was shot. Friends and family remember Wyss as a kind and selfless person who may have been attempting to de-escalate the situation. He was a father to a young son and was known for his love of the outdoors and his dog. He worked at Green Leaf Garden Center, where he was a beloved member of the team.
Following the shooting, a nationwide manhunt was initiated for Cegers. He was apprehended in Tennessee on August 18, 2023. Cegers has since been charged with second-degree murder, assault, and unlawful use of a weapon. Sadie Madalyn Cole was also arrested and faced charges of hindering prosecution and fourth-degree assault, to which she pleaded guilty. Cole was sentenced to jail time and probation for her role in the events.
The investigation into the shooting was handled by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office to avoid any potential conflicts of interest, as a witness at the scene was related to the Bend Police Chief. Friends and family of Taylor Wyss have expressed their profound grief and shock over his sudden and violent death, remembering him as a cherished member of their community.
