PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN / AP) — Three people were arrested in connection with the riot declared in Portland Friday night.
Friday’s destruction–the third outbreak in a week–followed two separate marches through downtown after police fatally shot a man while responding to reports of a person with a gun earlier in the day. According to the Portland Police Bureau, a white man was shot and killed by police, who opened fire with a gun and weapons that fire non-lethal projectiles.
Police later identified the man as 46-year-old Robert Douglas Delgado. The officer who shot was identified Saturday as Zachary Delong.
PPB was finishing the on-scene investigation around 3 p.m. when a crowd marched through the park, ripped down police tape and stood face to face with officers dressed in riot gear, police said. Police left the park around 3:30 p.m., and the crowd remained and eventually stood in a nearby intersection, blocking traffic and chanting.
Two separate marches started after the deadly shooting — one remained peacful, the other turned destructive and was declared a riot around 9:50 p.m.
PPB said arsonists set fires around downtown Portland, including a fire outside the Apple store. At least two security guards were inside the Apple store when the fire was set. Nordstrom and Nike stores were also vandalized and damaged.
Police said $2,000 worth of merchandise was stolen from the Nike store.
Another fire blocked the MAX tracks on SW Yamhill.
Among the spots damaged was the Oregon Historical Society. Windows were smashed and graffiti tagged the building. Kerry Tymchuk with OHS said the museum has cleaned up the graffiti and boarded its windows. Tymchuk said OHS installed new windows after the previous damage done in October 2020 during a separate riot; the new windows can shatter but not be penetrated.
The museum said it will resume operations at noon Saturday.
Police began detaining people at SW 4th and Salmon. At least one person was arrested. PPB said more arrests were being made and “a hostile crowd is surrounding them.”
A group lit a fire at SW 3rd and Salmon around 11 p.m. and a dumpster fire around SW 4th and Taylor. Portland Fire & Rescue responded to both.
By 11:30 p.m. the group was largely scattered, however PPB did report a portable toilet was set o fire near SW 4th Avenue and Yamhill Street.
PPB said three people were arrested Friday:
- Cameron Millar-Griffin, 24, from Portland for rioting, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
- Theodore Brien, 22, from Portland for criminal mischief.
- Skye Sodja, 43, from Portland for assaulting a police officer and disorderly conduct.
A fourth person was arrested but later released, according to PPB.
The area where the shooting happened earlier Friday is within the boundaries of operation for a new city pilot project called Portland Street Response in which a team without police officers responds to reports of homelessness or people in mental health crisis.
But PPB officials said that because the caller indicated the man had a weapon, PPB responded to the call instead.
In a statement released Saturday, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler on how the city plans to address on police reform, gun violence, “self-described anarchists” and protecting free speech.
Read the full statement below:
First, we will continue to reform the police bureau and our public safety system. We hear the calls for change. Just last week we authorized an independent review of the bureau’s culture. We’re making progress on investigations and on implementing the voter-approved police accountability measure.
Second, we will continue to fight gun violence. The City Council unanimously adopted a range of new actions and investments to prevent and disrupt the cycles of violence on Portland’s streets. We must end the gun violence trauma that is disproportionately harming Black and Brown men and their families.
Third, we will continue to identify, arrest, and prosecute the self-described anarchists who seek to sow chaos and anarchy and to snuff out our employers and jobs. We are making targeted arrests and the suspects are up for potentially long sentences. We will continue to find ways to support the employers and jobs that have been harmed. And we will not stop.
And fourth, we will protect and defend freedom of speech for Portlanders, including passionate and peaceful protests. In the coming days, we will say more about a peace compact for community gatherings and our work lift of the voices of those calling for meaningful change.
Today, my thoughts are with the family of the man who was shot in Lents Park. My thoughts are with the business owners and employees who are cleaning instead of opening today. My thoughts are with the officers who put their lives on the line to protect our city. And, my thoughts are focused on maintaining the determination we need to advance much-needed change.
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said in an emailed statement Saturday that the DA is in the early stages of a “rigorous and professional criminal investigation,” regarding the shooting at Lents Park.
He said he is “sensitive” for the community’s concern for accountability but condemned the “deliberate and criminal actions” of the people rioting in downtown Portland Friday night.
Read the rest of the statement below:
“We are in the very early stages of a rigorous and professional criminal investigation. An officer’s use of deadly force is likely the most critical and dangerous decision they will make in their career as a public servant. As a community—we are hurt and vulnerable right now. I am sensitive to the community’s concern about yesterday’s deadly police shooting and the calls for answers and reform. Our investigation needs to be methodical and consistent. We will not be rushed in our decisions. All legally admissible evidence must be gathered and reviewed. It is expected that this case will be presented to a grand jury to determine whether the use of deadly force was a legal act of self-defense and/or self-defense of others. We remain committed to an open and transparent process. Our objective is to seek answers.”
“The deliberate and criminal actions of individuals rioting in downtown Portland on Friday night significantly endangered life and property. It is unacceptable. This destruction does not align with community values and has no legitimacy. It is harming our city, county and state. There are multiple criminal investigations underway to identify those responsible for last night’s criminality. To support these investigations and to further our criminal prosecutions, I am asking business and property owners to review their video security systems and to provide law enforcement with copies of any relevant material. I also want to thank the community members who volunteered their time this morning to help clean up downtown—that is the Portland and Multnomah County I am proud of.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.