Pulliam Portland campaign stop prompts arson investigation

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Saturday afternoon campaign stop in Portland by GOP gubernatorial candidate Stan Pulliam was disrupted by smoke grenades and paint tossed by people allegedly protesting his stances on social issues.

Around noon, Pulliam’s campaign bus pulled up to Chapman Square at SW 3rd and Main. Nearly immediately, the smoke grenade and other items were thrown at the bus and a group of people. Portland police began monitoring the situation, officials said, and once enough officers were available they set up a crime scene.

Pulliam’s campaign released video that shows a small group of people dressed in all black at the scene.

Paint-filled balloons were also thrown at people and cars, officials said. Two people were injured — one man suffered an injured hand, a woman suffered some hearing loss, police said.

Pulliam, the current mayor of Sandy, blamed Antifa for the fracas. But Portland police has not identified who the instigators were.

The entire incident was over in minutes.

No one has yet been arrested. But the investigation is now active and ongoing and includes arson investigators.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the PPB arson unit regarding case number 22-114219. Tips by email: crimetips@portlandoregon.gov