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Three Arrested in Shooting Spree Tied to Klamath Water War by Associated Press Environmental News Network, December 21, 2001

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- Three white men were arrested and accused of taunting Native Americans and firing shotguns at signs and buildings during an hour-long spree stemming from a conflict over scarce water supplies.

Witnesses said the men drove through the town of Chiloquin in a pickup on Dec. 1, yelling, "Sucker lovers!" — a reference to fish considered sacred by the Klamath Tribes. Chiloquin, a town of about 800, is home to the offices of the Klamath Tribes.

"To be doing this, to me, is really an act of terrorism," Sheriff Tim Evinger said. "I consider it to be terrorizing an entire community."

Earlier this year, the government sharply reduced the flow of irrigation water to more than 1,000 farms to help protect suckers and salmon. Farmers grew angry as their fields dried up.