HILLSBORO, Ore.- On July 31, 2019, Brian Toru Matsuo pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and was sentenced to five years in prison by Judge Beth Roberts. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Marie Atwood.

In the early morning hours of June 16, 2019, Matsuo pulled into a gas station off of Cornelius Pass Road and began yelling at the driver of another vehicle over a parking dispute. That driver and his passenger ignored Matsuo and eventually drove away from the gas station.

Matsuo then followed the vehicle, pulled out a handgun and opened fire on the car and its occupants. Those bullets shattered the entire rear window of the victim’s car and left damage to the trunk as well. Fortunately, the victims were not hurt in the shooting.

The victims then returned to the gas station where they called law enforcement. Investigators recovered shell casings and bullet fragments. They also pulled surveillance video showing Matsuo’s vehicle and license plate. The photos and footage were released to the public in an effort to identify the shooter.

Multiple tips came in to law enforcement, including witnesses who said Matsuo admitted to his role in the shooting. Investigators executed a search warrant at Matsuo’s home and found the gun used in the shooting along with several other weapons including an AK-47 rifle which he purchased just one day after the incident.

When confronted, Matsuo admitted to the shooting. He said he was only trying to scare the victims but wouldn’t have any regrets if the shots fired hit either of them.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the investigative work of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office as well as the assistance of the public in identifying Matsuo.

Matsuo has been transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to serve his sentence. He will be barred from owning any firearms upon his release.