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Coordinates: 45°31′49″N 122°36′25″W / 45.530355°N 122.607042°W / 45.530355; -122.607042
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The evening of Saturday, February 19, 2022, several racial justice activists had gathered near the intersection of NE 55th and NE Hassalo, near the southwest portion of Normandale Park,<ref name=":2" /> for a “Justice for Amir Locke”<ref name="Knightly 01" /> protest, in reference to the Black man who had been killed weeks earlier in Minneapolis while police executed a no-knock warrant on an apartment.<ref name="Knightly 01" /> Several protests had been held in Portland in the weeks following Locke's death.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Spocchia |first=Gino |date=2022-02-22 |title=Portland shooting: Suspect who ranted about ‘commies’ identified after activist shot dead at Amir Locke demo |work=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/june-knightly-amir-locke-protest-shooting-b2020311.html |access-date=2023-02-08}}</ref> The night of February 19, a few people were providing traffic safety by re-routing vehicular traffic to avoid a protest march.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Bernton |first=Hal |date=2022-02-20 |title=An argument, then shots fired. Neighbor offers account of Saturday shooting in Portland |work=[[Seattle Times]] |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/an-argument-then-shots-fired-neighbor-offers-account-of-saturday-mass-shooting-in-portland/ |access-date=2023-02-10}}</ref>
The evening of Saturday, February 19, 2022, several racial justice activists had gathered near the intersection of NE 55th and NE Hassalo, near the southwest portion of Normandale Park,<ref name=":2" /> for a “Justice for Amir Locke”<ref name="Knightly 01" /> protest, in reference to the Black man who had been killed weeks earlier in Minneapolis while police executed a no-knock warrant on an apartment.<ref name="Knightly 01" /> Several protests had been held in Portland in the weeks following Locke's death.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Spocchia |first=Gino |date=2022-02-22 |title=Portland shooting: Suspect who ranted about ‘commies’ identified after activist shot dead at Amir Locke demo |work=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/june-knightly-amir-locke-protest-shooting-b2020311.html |access-date=2023-02-08}}</ref> The night of February 19, a few people were providing traffic safety by re-routing vehicular traffic to avoid a protest march.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Bernton |first=Hal |date=2022-02-20 |title=An argument, then shots fired. Neighbor offers account of Saturday shooting in Portland |work=[[Seattle Times]] |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/an-argument-then-shots-fired-neighbor-offers-account-of-saturday-mass-shooting-in-portland/ |access-date=2023-02-10}}</ref>


According to an arrest affidavit and video evidence filed after the incident, a man allegedly approached the demonstrators and told them to leave.<ref name="nyt2" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Bacon |first=John |last2=Tebor |first2=Celina |date=2022-02-22 |title=Suspect charged in deadly shooting of protesters in Portland, Oregon; victim identified |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/02/21/armed-protester-homeowner-portland-shooting/6877403001/ |access-date=2023-02-09}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Bourgeois |first=Michael |last2=Dowling |first2=Jennifer |last3=Campbell |first3=Sam |date=2022-02-19 |title=PPB: 1 killed, 5 others hurt in Normandale Park shooting |work=[[KOIN]] |url=https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/police-investigate-shooting-at-portlands-normandale-park-ppb-injured-protest-reports/ |access-date=2023-02-09}}</ref> According to court documents, the man became aggressive<ref name=":16">{{Cite news |date=2022-12-31 |title=Portland sees another record-breaking year for homicides in 2022 |work=[[KGW]] |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/crime/gun-violence/portland-homicide-victims-2022/283-1c676898-fdce-447e-8b33-b1371a8e28d0 |access-date=2023-02-14}}</ref> and a confrontation ensued<ref name="nyt2" /> and a shooting occurred around 8:00&nbsp;p.m.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2022-02-20 |title=Police: 1 killed, 5 hurt in shooting during Portland protest |work=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/police-shootings-oregon-portland-ae7600484324be978a6e6d0a77ceb4a8 |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> According the [[Multnomah County, Oregon|Multnomah County]] District Attorney's office, the suspect allegedly pulled a .45 caliber handgun and fired at close range into a crowd of protestors and struck five. Before he could reload his gun,<ref name=":19">{{Cite news |last=Evans |first=Robert |date=2022-09-05 |title=How Portland Stopped the Proud Boys |work=[[New Lines Magazine]] |url=https://newlinesmag.com/argument/how-portland-stopped-the-proud-boys/ |access-date=2023-02-16}}</ref> an armed protester fired back<ref name=":12">{{Cite news |date=2022-03-01 |title=Campsite And Memorial At Normandale Park Growing After Mass Shooting |work=[[KXL-FM]] |url=https://www.kxl.com/normandale-park-shooting-evidence-removed-creates-a-prosecution-nightmare/ |access-date=2023-02-10}}</ref><ref name=":11" /> and struck the suspect shot near the hip, which ended the shooting.<ref name="nyt2" /><ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bernstein |first=Maxine |date=2022-02-22 |title=Alleged gunman in Normandale Park shooting demanded protesters leave before he fired, affidavit says |work=[[The Oregonian]] |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2022/02/portland-police-confirm-identity-of-alleged-gunman-in-normandale-park-shooting.html |access-date=2023-02-10}}</ref>
According to an arrest affidavit and video evidence filed after the incident, a man allegedly approached the demonstrators and told them to leave.<ref name="nyt2" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Bacon |first=John |last2=Tebor |first2=Celina |date=2022-02-22 |title=Suspect charged in deadly shooting of protesters in Portland, Oregon; victim identified |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/02/21/armed-protester-homeowner-portland-shooting/6877403001/ |access-date=2023-02-09}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Bourgeois |first=Michael |last2=Dowling |first2=Jennifer |last3=Campbell |first3=Sam |date=2022-02-19 |title=PPB: 1 killed, 5 others hurt in Normandale Park shooting |work=[[KOIN]] |url=https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/police-investigate-shooting-at-portlands-normandale-park-ppb-injured-protest-reports/ |access-date=2023-02-09}}</ref> According to court documents, the man became aggressive<ref name=":16">{{Cite news |date=2022-12-31 |title=Portland sees another record-breaking year for homicides in 2022 |work=[[KGW]] |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/crime/gun-violence/portland-homicide-victims-2022/283-1c676898-fdce-447e-8b33-b1371a8e28d0 |access-date=2023-02-14}}</ref> and a confrontation ensued<ref name="nyt2" /> and a shooting occurred around 8:00&nbsp;p.m.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2022-02-20 |title=Police: 1 killed, 5 hurt in shooting during Portland protest |work=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/police-shootings-oregon-portland-ae7600484324be978a6e6d0a77ceb4a8 |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> According the [[Multnomah County, Oregon|Multnomah County]] District Attorney's office, the suspect allegedly pulled a .45 caliber handgun and fired at close range into a crowd of protestors and struck five. An armed protester fired back<ref name=":12">{{Cite news |date=2022-03-01 |title=Campsite And Memorial At Normandale Park Growing After Mass Shooting |work=[[KXL-FM]] |url=https://www.kxl.com/normandale-park-shooting-evidence-removed-creates-a-prosecution-nightmare/ |access-date=2023-02-10}}</ref><ref name=":11" /> and struck the suspect shot near the hip, which ended the shooting.<ref name="nyt2" /><ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bernstein |first=Maxine |date=2022-02-22 |title=Alleged gunman in Normandale Park shooting demanded protesters leave before he fired, affidavit says |work=[[The Oregonian]] |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2022/02/portland-police-confirm-identity-of-alleged-gunman-in-normandale-park-shooting.html |access-date=2023-02-10}}</ref>


Portland Police Bureau responded to the shooting and closed a number of streets in the area.<ref name=":6" /> Police and media accounts described the scene as chaotic and some witness left the scene without speaking to investigators.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Henderson |first=Jennifer |last2=Watson |first2=Michelle |date=2022-02-23 |title=Suspect in deadly shooting during weekend protest in Portland faces several charges, including murder |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/23/us/portland-shooting-suspect-charged/index.html |access-date=2023-02-09}}</ref><ref name=":6" />
Portland Police Bureau responded to the shooting and closed a number of streets in the area.<ref name=":6" /> Police and media accounts described the scene as chaotic and some witness left the scene without speaking to investigators.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Henderson |first=Jennifer |last2=Watson |first2=Michelle |date=2022-02-23 |title=Suspect in deadly shooting during weekend protest in Portland faces several charges, including murder |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/23/us/portland-shooting-suspect-charged/index.html |access-date=2023-02-09}}</ref><ref name=":6" />

Revision as of 20:07, 16 February 2023

Normandale Park shooting
Part of 2020–2023 United States racial unrest and mass shootings in the United States
Map
Shooting location at Normandale Park in Portland
LocationPortland, Oregon, United States
Coordinates45°31′49″N 122°36′25″W / 45.530355°N 122.607042°W / 45.530355; -122.607042
DateFebruary 19, 2022
c. 8:00 pm (PST)
Attack type
Mass shooting
Weapon.45 caliber handgun
Deaths1
Injured5 (including the perpetrator)
Charges
  • 1 count of second-degree murder
  • 4 counts of attempted murder
  • 2 counts of first-degree assault
  • 2 counts of second-degree assault

On February 19, 2022, a mass shooting occurred near Normandale Park, in Portland, Oregon, United States.[1] One person was killed and five others were injured, including the shooter.[2] The shooting took place near a demonstration for Amir Locke, a 22-year-old Black man who was shot and killed by a Minneapolis police officer and Patrick Kimmons, a 27-year-old Black man killed by Portland police during a 2018 altercation.[3][4][5] The alleged shooter faced several criminal charges, including for second-degree murder, related to the incident.[6]

Shooting

The evening of Saturday, February 19, 2022, several racial justice activists had gathered near the intersection of NE 55th and NE Hassalo, near the southwest portion of Normandale Park,[5] for a “Justice for Amir Locke”[7] protest, in reference to the Black man who had been killed weeks earlier in Minneapolis while police executed a no-knock warrant on an apartment.[7] Several protests had been held in Portland in the weeks following Locke's death.[8] The night of February 19, a few people were providing traffic safety by re-routing vehicular traffic to avoid a protest march.[9][5][10]

According to an arrest affidavit and video evidence filed after the incident, a man allegedly approached the demonstrators and told them to leave.[11][6][12] According to court documents, the man became aggressive[13] and a confrontation ensued[11] and a shooting occurred around 8:00 p.m.[14] According the Multnomah County District Attorney's office, the suspect allegedly pulled a .45 caliber handgun and fired at close range into a crowd of protestors and struck five. An armed protester fired back[15][4] and struck the suspect shot near the hip, which ended the shooting.[11][16][17]

Portland Police Bureau responded to the shooting and closed a number of streets in the area.[12] Police and media accounts described the scene as chaotic and some witness left the scene without speaking to investigators.[18][12]

The person who shot the suspect was initially arrested on assault and weapons charges, but cooperated with police and was later released and the criminal charges were dropped.[19] The suspect was hospitalized in serious condition and placed under arrest; he was formally charged and was booked into jail facility on March 23, 2022.[11][16]

Victims

One person was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting. Four others were wounded by gunfire and transported to a hospital,[20] with one being struck in the neck paralyzed from the neck down as a result.[9][21][22]

Brandy "June" Knightly,[22] a 60-year old woman, was identified as the person killed. Knightly had been a racial justice activist with the Black Lives Matter movement[23] and was among of small group conducting crowd control and acting as a traffic safety volunteer the night of the shooting.[8][18][13] She was struck by a bullet in her head that was fired at close range.[9][24][7][22]

Investigation

Initial reporting the Portland Police Bureau claimed the shooting began due to a confrontation between an armed homeowner and armed protestors, however, none of the victims were armed and the shooter had gone to the demonstration which was down the road from his apartment. The statement was later updated to call the shooter an "armed area resident" but critics and advocates claimed the previous statement was a pattern of city and law enforcement officials misrepresenting racial justice protestors and part of a long line of recent scandals.[9] Teressa Raiford, executive director of Don’t Shoot Portland, said about the mischaracterization of the shooter by police, "I believe that it was [done] to entice vigilantism. I can’t think of anything else that could occur from that type of misreporting or misinformation.”[25] Several local organizations called for an independent investigation into the city on the spread of misinformation in the aftermath of the shooting.[25]

Tension between demonstrators and officials persisted during the investigation. City leaders said they had difficulty obtaining information from witnesses, which some racial justice advocates said that was due to false characterizations about the demonstration and of fears of further violence or reprisal.[26] Sandy Chung, executive director of the Oregon ACLU, said, "There is continuous this context and environment of threats and doxing towards Black leaders and communities who are fighting for racial justice, but also the allies of this work."[26] Chuck Lovell, the Portland police chief, said that shell casings, and possibly other evidence, was removed from the crime scene, which hampered the initial investigation.[27] A police department spokesperson said that witness who may have recorded the incident on their mobile phones did not share it with police.[19]

The Medical Examiner's office determined Knightly's death was a homicide due to a gunshot wound to the head.[18] Police investigators declined to speculate on a motive in the days after the attack.[11] Media sources reported that prior to the February 19 incident the alleged shooter had expressed animosity towards Antifa and Black Lives Matter and had expressed support for Kyle Rittenhouse, the person who was acquitted of criminal charges related to the Kenosha unrest shooting.[28][11][6]

On February 21, 2022, Mike Schmidt, the Multnomah County District Attorney, announced the alleged shooter would be charged with nine criminal counts related to the February 19, 2022 incident: one count of second-degree murder with a firearm, four counts of second-degree attempted murder with a firearm, two counts of first-degree assault with a firearm, and two counts of second-degree assault with a firearm.[6][29][21] Prosecutors temporarily obtained a secret indictment of the suspect and in an unusual move, removed all case information from the public court records.[29]

A grand jury heard four days of testimony from 12 witness witnesses on February 28 and on March 4, 7, and 10.[29] The grand jury voted to indict the suspect,[30] and on March 23, 2022, the accused shooter was transferred from a hospital and booked into a jail facility, and the case information was available for public view.[29]

In a court hearing on March 24, 2022, the suspect pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was held in a Multnomah County jail facility without bail[31][32] to await the criminal trial scheduled for April 2023.[33]

Reaction

The day after the shooting, Portland mayor Ted Wheeler issued a statement that included, "While many of the details of last night's shooting near Normandale Park are unclear, we do know one thing for sure: Our community is dealing with the sadness of another senseless act of gun violence."[34]

Portland Commissioner Jo Anne Hardesty said in a statement on Twitter, "While we need more information about what transpired, I can say that protesting for racial justice should never endanger those exercising their 1st amendment rights."[20]

Rallies to show solidarity with the victims of the shooting were held in Minneapolis and New York City on February 21, 2022.[35] Activists held a memorial for Knightly at Normandale Park on February 22, 2022. Activists left tributes to her and set up a makeshift memorial and encampment at a pavilion in the park.[36][10][15]

Many of the deceased victim’s friends and local advocates called the shooting "predictable" due to the history of far-right gathering and violent protests held in Portland in the past year. Some also highlighted the city’s history of White supremacy and race crimes.[9] Despite these claims, there has been no evidence presented that the shooter was part of any hate group.

The Legislative BIPOC Caucus of the Oregon Legislative Assembly said in a statement, “We cannot normalize violence towards our neighbors exercising their First Amendment right to peacefully gather. This weekend, we saw the fatal result of irresponsible rhetoric that villainizes those exercising the right to peaceful protest for racial justice."[37]

In June 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed it had flagged the alleged shooter's behavior going back to 2006, and that the bureau had contacted him in 2021 about it. It was unclear if the FBI had ever warned local law enforcement.[38]

See also

References

  1. ^ "1 dead, 5 injured in shooting near Normandale Park in Northeast Portland". Oregon Public Broadcasting. February 20, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  2. ^ Ziegler, Megan (February 20, 2022). "Portland shooting at Normandale Park kills 1, hurts 5". KSAZ-TV. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  3. ^ Baumhardt, Alexandra; Timsit, Annabelle (February 20, 2022). "One dead, five injured in shooting in Portland, Ore., near site of protests against police violence". Washington Post. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Olmos, Sergio; Ramzy, Austin; Delkic, Melina (February 20, 2022). "One Dead in Shooting at Portland Protest Against Police Violence". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Bernstein, Maxine (February 23, 2022). "Mass shooting at Normandale Park: What we know". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d Bacon, John; Tebor, Celina (February 22, 2022). "Suspect charged in deadly shooting of protesters in Portland, Oregon; victim identified". USA Today. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Zielinski, Alex (March 24, 2022). "Remembering June Knightly". The Stranger. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Spocchia, Gino (February 22, 2022). "Portland shooting: Suspect who ranted about 'commies' identified after activist shot dead at Amir Locke demo". The Independent. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d e Levin, Sam (February 27, 2022). "'Completely predictable': the Portland shooting and fears of escalating extremism in America". The Guardian. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Bernton, Hal (February 20, 2022). "An argument, then shots fired. Neighbor offers account of Saturday shooting in Portland". Seattle Times. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Olmos, Sergio; Cramer, Maria (February 23, 2022). "Man Charged With Murder in Shooting at Protest in Portland". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Bourgeois, Michael; Dowling, Jennifer; Campbell, Sam (February 19, 2022). "PPB: 1 killed, 5 others hurt in Normandale Park shooting". KOIN. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Portland sees another record-breaking year for homicides in 2022". KGW. December 31, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  14. ^ "Police: 1 killed, 5 hurt in shooting during Portland protest". Associated Press. February 20, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  15. ^ a b "Campsite And Memorial At Normandale Park Growing After Mass Shooting". KXL-FM. March 1, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Suspect in Normandale Park mass shooting transferred from hospital to jail". KGW. March 23, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  17. ^ Bernstein, Maxine (February 22, 2022). "Alleged gunman in Normandale Park shooting demanded protesters leave before he fired, affidavit says". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  18. ^ a b c Henderson, Jennifer; Watson, Michelle (February 23, 2022). "Suspect in deadly shooting during weekend protest in Portland faces several charges, including murder". CNN. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  19. ^ a b "Portland police: clash between armed homeowner and protesters sparked shooting". Reuters. February 20, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  20. ^ a b Romero, Dennis (February 21, 2022). "One killed, five injured in shooting during Portland, Oregon, protest". NBC News. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  21. ^ a b "DA Mike Schmidt announces charges and arrest warrant for weekend shooting". Multnomah County District Attorney. February 22, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  22. ^ a b c Selsky, Andrew; Flaccus, Guillian (February 22, 2022). "Gunman charged with killing protester in Portland, Oregon". Associated Press. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  23. ^ Briquelet, Kate (February 21, 2022). "Beloved Portland Woman June Knightly Mourned After Protest Shooting Nightmare". Daily Beast. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  24. ^ Crombie, Noelle (February 21, 2022). "June Knightly, who died in Normandale Park shooting, relished role of protecting Portland demonstrators". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  25. ^ a b Asher, Abe (March 9, 2022). "How a deadly protest shooting deepened distrust of Portland police". The Independent. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  26. ^ a b Allison, Megan (February 25, 2022). "Activists voice concerns around police investigation of Normandale Park mass shooting". KATU-TV. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  27. ^ "Normandale Park Shooting Evidence Removed Creates A Prosecution Nightmare". KXL-FM. March 15, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  28. ^ Cite error: The named reference :19 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  29. ^ a b c d Bernstein, Maxine (March 23, 2022). "Accused gunman in Normandale Park shooting transferred to jail on 9-count indictment". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  30. ^ Alex, Zielinski (March 23, 2022). "Accused Normandale Park Shooter Jailed on Nine Charges". Portland Mercury. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  31. ^ Bernstein, Maxine (March 24, 2022). "Portland man accused in mass shooting near Normandale Park makes first court appearance". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  32. ^ Johnson, Destiny; Vespa, Maggie (February 23, 2022). "Suspect in Normandale Park shooting charged with murder, 4 counts of attempted murder". KGW. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  33. ^ Kirsch, Jeffrey (September 1, 2022). "Plea agreement may be in the works for suspect in deadly mass shooting at Portland protest". KATU-TV. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  34. ^ Campbell, Sam (February 20, 2022). "Portland leaders: Normandale Park shooting 'heartbreaking'". KOIN. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  35. ^ Georgiades, Niko (February 25, 2022). "Minneapolis and NYC Rally in Solidarity With Portland Shooting Victims". Unicorn Riot. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  36. ^ Sparling, Zane (February 24, 2022). "Memorial honors woman killed in Portland mass shooting: 'A new and different level of loss'". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  37. ^ "Legislative BIPOC Caucus Statement on the Normandale Park Shooting" (PDF). Oregon Legislature. February 22, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  38. ^ Levinson, Jonathan; Wilson, Conrad (June 16, 2022). "FBI confirms agents knew of alleged Normandale Park shooter; cousin tried to warn Portland police". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved February 6, 2023.

Further reading

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