Homicide

Two-state crime rampage leaves many in Oregon town reeling

Associated Press
Published | Updated

FILE--In this July 29, 2016, file photo, Edwin Lara, a security guard at Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Ore., waits in court in Yreka, Calif., for his arraignment. The murder of Kaylee Sawyer, from Bend, Ore., followed by a string of other crimes leading from Oregon through California allegedly committed by Lara has the scenic mountain town or Bend, Ore., deeply shaken. (Greg Barnette/The Record Searchlight via AP, file) (The Associated Press)

FILE--In this July 26, 2016, file photo, a picture of Kaylee Sawyer is displayed on a screen as Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel speaks during a press conference on at the Deschutes County Courthouse in Bend, Ore. The murder of Kaylee Sawyer followed by a string of other crimes leading from Oregon through California allegedly committed by Central Oregon Community College safety officer Edwin Lara has this scenic mountain town deeply shaken. (Joe Kline/The Bulletin via AP, file) (The Associated Press)

This Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016 photo, shows the campus public safety office at Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Ore. The murder of Kaylee Sawyer followed by a string of other crimes leading from Oregon through California allegedly committed by Central Oregon Community College public safety officer Edwin Lara has this scenic mountain town deeply shaken. (AP Photo/Andrew Selsky) (The Associated Press)

Many people in a scenic Oregon mountain town are reeling after a man who worked in law enforcement was accused of killing a woman, kidnapping another and taking her to California to carry out other crimes.

Edwin Lara was a public safety officer at Central Oregon Community College in Bend. His wife was a police officer.

After the killing and kidnapping, police say Lara shot a man and then stole a car with three people still inside. He's accused of leading authorities on a high-speed chase on a freeway before being arrested.

Lara's attorneys said they cannot comment, citing a judge's order prohibiting those involved in the case from talking publicly about it.

Aimee Metcalf, assistant director of college relations, says, "This is such a hit on so many levels."