Suspect apparently thought he was shooting at an elk

Craig A. Sjoberg

A Shahala Middle School teacher suspected of first-degree manslaughter in the death of a bear-grass picker in Skamania County apparently thought he was shooting at a three-point elk, according to court documents.

Craig A. Sjoberg, 55, of Camas, appeared in court Thursday in Stevenson.

Bail was set at $750,000.

Arraignment is set for Monday, when defense attorney Steve Thayer is expected to argue for lower bail.

If Sjoberg posts bail and is released from the Skamania County Jail pending trial, he will not return to his classroom. He’ll remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case, said Carol Fenstermacher, spokeswoman for Evergreen Public Schools.

Sjoberg is suspected of recklessly causing the death of Juan Cortez Rojas. The Tacoma man’s body was found Nov. 1, the first day of elk-hunting season, in the Skookum Meadows area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Rojas had been at work picking bear grass, which is used in floral arrangements. He was shot once in the right shoulder.

Other hunters had given a physical description of Sjoberg to deputies with the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, and that description was released to the media. According to court documents, Sjoberg called Sgt. Monty Buettner on Nov. 4 and left a message saying he’d read about the case and he might be the person officers described.

A detective obtained a search warrant for Sjoberg’s home and found a Remington 760 rifle and .30-06 cartridges that fire the type of bullet found in Rojas, according to court documents.

One hunter who gave a description of Sjoberg told deputies he had spoken with a hunter who had said he had fired at a three-point elk but missed. Another hunter told deputies he had plans to hunt with a man he knew only as “Craig” on Nov. 2, the day after Rojas was killed, but “Craig” never showed.

Stephanie Rice: 360-735-4549 or stephanie.rice@columbian.com.