Angry crowd gathers near scene of fatal police shooting in Portland
(Update: Angry crowd gathers at officer-involved shooting scene)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An angry crowd gathered Friday at a Portland park after police fatally shot a man while responding to reports of a person with a gun.
Deputy Portland Police Chief Chris Davis said Friday that a white man in his 30s was shot and killed by police. Officers opened fire on him with a gun and with weapons that fire non-lethal projectiles.
The man killed was not identified, but a witness said he appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis.
Authorities say the investigation into the shooting was being hampered by a crowd that gathered at the scene and pulled down police tape designed to keep people away.
UPDATE: On-Scene Investigation Completed in Lents Park, Officers Forced to Use Munitions to Disengage
Portland Police Bureau - 04/16/21 4:44 PM
Portland Police have completed the on-scene investigation at Lents Park and have cleared the scene. During the time that investigators were doing their work, law enforcement countywide responded to assist with crowd control.
The hostile crowd estimated to be over 100 people tore down crime-scene police tape and encroached on the work area. A line of officers had to create a blockade on multiple sides of the scene to keep the crowd back.
Officers were hit with sticks and full water bottles were thrown at them. A group of people grabbed an officer's baton and tried to pull it away. Officers deployed OC (pepper) spray to stop the criminal behavior. At least one police vehicle's tires were flattened.
As officers began to disengage from the scene, hostile individuals chased them, throwing things at them. Officers deployed inert smoke canisters in an attempt to help them leave, but individuals continued after them. A Rubber Ball Distraction Device was used to allow the officers to safely disengage.
No officers were injured. There were some false claims online that tear gas was used, but that was untrue. Officers did not deploy chemical munitions. No arrests were made.
Earlier story:
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports police confronted the man at Lents Park and at least one officer fired, killing the man. The man who was killed was not identified.
At about 9:30 a.m., officers were called out to reports of a white man pointing a gun in the 4700 block of Southeast 92nd Avenue, KPTV reported.
Officers arrived to Lents Park and contacted the person.
Acting Chief Chris Davis said at some point during the contact, less lethal and lethal weapons were deployed.
Officers provided medical attention, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
No one else was injured.
Davis said the investigation is complex and there's a lot of work to do. He said the investigation was being hampered by an "aggressive crowd" that gathered at the scene.
Portland Police Bureau news release:
Officer Involved Shooting in Lents Park-1 Adult Male Deceased; Hostile Crowd Gathered at Scene
Portland Police Bureau - 04/16/21 1:35 PM
On Friday, April 16, 2020, at about 9:30 a.m., East Precinct officers responded to a call at Lents Park of an adult white male pointing a gun. Lents Park is located at 4727 SE 92nd Avenue.
Officers arrived and contacted a subject in the park. During the encounter, less lethal 40 mm and lethal rounds were deployed. Two officers deployed 40 mm rounds and one officer used lethal force.
Medical personnel were staged nearby. Officers provided emergency medical aid, but the male subject was pronounced deceased at the scene.
None of the officers was injured during the incident and there are no known additional injured parties.
While detectives and other investigators were responding to the scene to commence the investigation into the incident, a hostile crowd arrived at the scene perimeter and began yelling at officers. Additional officers had to respond from all over the city to assist with crowd management so the investigation could be completed. Other calls for service were impacted as a result.
Detectives are currently processing the scene for evidence and interviewing witnesses. The Bureau may release additional information as appropriate. The involved officer will be interviewed by investigators within 48 hours. This remains an active investigation; as information becomes available for release, updates will be provided via press release.
The involved Bureau member is an 8-year veteran assigned to East Precinct. The member�s name will be released tomorrow, as per Bureau policy. The involved officer will remain on paid administrative leave until the completion of the Bureau, East County Major Crimes Team, and Multnomah County District Attorney Office's investigation.
Anyone who has not been interviewed, but has information about this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Anthony Merrill at (503) 823-4033 or anthony.merrill@portlandoregon.gov or Detective Joe Corona at 503) 823-0508 or joseph.corona@portlandoregon.gov .
As part of the use of force review process, the Bureau will conduct an internal review of the entire incident and the case will go before the Police Review Board (PRB), which is composed of community members, Bureau members and representatives from the Independent Police Review Division.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. The Portland Police Bureau's directive outlining the procedures followed after an officer involved shooting may be found at https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/article/656780
Once the entire investigation and legal process is complete, the investigative files and any grand jury transcripts will be posted on the Bureau's Open Data page and can be found here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/52175
"These are difficult circumstances for everyone involved and none of us want this outcome when we go about our daily work," said Acting Chief Chris Davis. "Investigating an officer use of deadly force is among the most important things we do, and it's critical that we take the time to do it right. I appreciate our community giving us the patience and time to get the whole picture about what took place. I pledge that we will release more information as the investigation proceeds."
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler issued a statement:
"These shootings always are traumatic for everyone involved and for our community, regardless of the circumstances.
I want to offer my sympathy to the individual involved and to their family. My thoughts also are with the officers who were involved.
I visited the scene this morning to show respect for the individual, their family, the officers, and our community. I received a preliminary briefing and will continue to receive updates as information becomes available.
I recognize why people are concerned and possibly angry. While our understanding of this incident evolves, I urge everyone to proceed with empathy and peace."
