Tree Service Employee Tried to Push Co-Worker Into Wood Chipper: Cops

Scott Iverson, 26, allegedly called the victim a "pedophile."

An employee with an Oregon tree service company faces attempted murder charges after cops say he tried shoving a co-worker into a wood chipper.

Scott Iverson grabbed the victim from behind and put him in a chokehold as the victim loaded wood into the device, according to the Keizer Police Department.

Read: 1 Dead, 3 Injured in University of Texas Stabbing Spree Carried Out by Student: Cops

Keizer Police Deputy Chief Jeffrey Kuhns said Iverson pushed the man's torso onto the feeding table of the wood chipper head first, the Statesman-Journal reported.

But the victim broke free before Iverson allegedly began punching him in the head and pushed him back into the chipper, police said in an affidavit.

The victim later told cops he thought he was going to die. "I really don't want to die this way," he recalled to officers.

Another employee intervened and pulled Iverson off the victim before he could meet a gruesome end, cops said.

At one point, witnesses said Iverson told another co-worker the victim was "a pedophile. I can tell by the way he's talking."

The victim reportedly has no criminal history of sexual abuse. He told cops he had no idea why he was attacked.

Read: Cop Allegedly Fakes Suicide and Flees to Mexico

Cops say Iverson left the scene and was located at a nearby restaurant Friday. He reportedly told investigators he intends to plead not guilty.

Iverson was in court for a bond hearing Monday, where his bail was set at $50,000.

Watch: Man Arrested for Stabbing Worshipper in What Police Are Calling a Hate Crime