In the late summer evening of August 21, 2017, in the rural community of Beavercreek, Oregon, a dispute between two men turned fatal. Alvin Wallenstein, a 45-year-old Caucasian male from Molalla, was shot and killed during the confrontation. The incident occurred outside the home of Howard Dean Bunnell Jr., located on South Buckner Creek Road. Clackamas County Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of a disturbance at the residence around 7:30 p.m. and discovered Wallenstein deceased at the scene from a gunshot wound to his chest.
The investigation into Wallenstein's death led to the immediate arrest of the 47-year-old homeowner, Howard Bunnell Jr. The initial altercation began as a heated argument between the two men. According to court documents, the verbal dispute escalated dramatically when Bunnell retrieved a shotgun and fired at Wallenstein's vehicle. In response, Wallenstein drew a handgun, and a gunfight erupted between them. In the exchange of fire, Wallenstein was fatally wounded.
The legal proceedings that followed took a complex turn. Bunnell was initially charged with manslaughter and unlawful use of a weapon. However, in a surprising development, a grand jury initially dismissed these charges, leading to Bunnell's release after he posted bail. He was then indicted on charges of unlawful delivery and possession of meth. But the case was far from over. In October, after further review of the evidence, a superseding indictment was filed. This time, the grand jury charged Howard Bunnell Jr. with the murder of Alvin Wallenstein. Ultimately, Bunnell pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in the deadly shooting.
