A John Day man has been arrested and charged with murder after an incident Thursday evening in the Dog Creek area.

Thomas Joseph Elliott, who was born in 1962 and resides on Marysville Lane east of John Day, was charged with murder, first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon today, Aug. 25, in Grant County Circuit Court, according to court documents.

The charging document signed by Grant County Chief Deputy District Attorney Mara Houck accuses Elliott of discharging a firearm and intentionally killing Todd Alan Berry Thursday in Grant County.

Elliott made his first appearance in Grant County Circuit Court in front of Judge William D. Cramer Jr. Friday afternoon. He is being held without bail.

Houck said she believed Elliott and Berry were related through a family member’s marriage. She declined to discuss the details of the case.

Officers were dispatched to the Dog Creek/Marysville area just east of John Day just before 8 p.m., according to dispatch logs.

Oregon State Police and Grant County Sheriff’s Office are leading the investigation, according to John Day Police Chief Richard Gray. He said OSP brought in a team to investigate.

Elliott is next scheduled to appear in court for a status check Sept. 1.