Peacock confrontation led to shooting, attempted murder conviction. (Courtesy photo: KOIN)

Dylan Levi Rhoads has been sentenced to 90 months in prison for shooting at a man who confronted him over his harassing a flock of peacocks roaming a Southeast Portland neighborhood.

Rhoads pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon. Eric Palmer, Multnomah County deputy district attorney, prosecuted the case and Circuit Judge Christopher Marshall presided.

According to a release from the District Attorney’s Office, the victim (who is not named in the release) was going to work on Sept. 29, 2023, when he noticed Rhoads and another person harassing peacocks across the street. He asked them to stop.

They had a violent response to him including saying “bock, bock, bock you next” and “We can bang right now,” according to the release.

The victim disengaged, went back into his home and let them drive away, according to the release. When he thought it was clear, he left in his car and made it to the next intersection, when he saw they were waiting for him there. The driver shot at the victim. Investigators found five shell casings in the intersection and multiple bullet strikes to the victim’s car. Bullets grazed the victim but he did not suffer serious injuries, in part because he had installed a special, heavy duty seat in his vehicle, which stopped one of the bullets from hitting him.

Portland Police used a Ring camera video to get a picture of the defendant’s vehicle and found the vehicle within days, connecting the car to the defendant.

Rhoads’ age and city of residence were not listed in the release.

“This defendant had a clear pattern of escalating, dangerous, criminal behavior,” Palmer said after the sentencing. “And yet he was repeatedly released after being arrested for his earlier crimes. I believe the system failed here — failed both the victims and the defendant.”