Police investigating events before Portland activist’s death

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Portland activist is dead after a vehicle hit him as he was leaving a left-wing hangout.

Police say Sean Kealiher’s friends took him to a hospital after the early Saturday crash in the Kerns neighborhood. Police say a SUV crashed into a commercial building, and then gunshots were fired at the vehicle.

Police are investigating the events that led to the 23-year-old’s death.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that Kealiher was hit after leaving Cider Riot, a gathering place for antifascists, anarchists and other leftists.

KOIN-TV reports witnesses saw the SUV had hit a tree outside of the offices of the Democratic Party of Oregon. The offices were closed at the time.

Police say a medical examiner conducted an autopsy and determined Kealiher’s death was a homicide from blunt-force trauma.

AP Only 2019