Night 88: Tear gas used, 25 arrests made in overnight riot

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A riot was declared within minutes of protesters arriving at the Portland Police Association and 25 people were ultimately arrested Monday night, the 88th consecutive night of political unrest in the city. Portland police, who deployed tear gas once again, said it was prompted by fires being lit at the union building on North Lombard Street.

Earlier in the night, protesters gathered in support of Jacob Blake, a Black man who was shot by police in a southeastern Wisconsin city on Sunday. Participants were asked to gather at 8 p.m. at Arbor Lodge Park, according to posts online.

The march that followed brought roughly 300 people to police union headquarters around 10 p.m. Police said there were chants of “burn it down,” while some in the crowd carried shields, wore helmets, gas masks and body armor.

Within minutes, the Portland Police Bureau said power to the building was cut and flames were seen shooting up the side of the building — which sits near a residential area with wood-frame houses.

Portland police declared a riot not long after. After giving warnings, officers reportedly used tear gas to disperse the crowd. It is unclear how many people were injured, however, an ambulance was spotted at the scene. Multiple arrests were made during this time.

There were actually two fires set virtually simultaneously. This fire was at the back of the building. pic.twitter.com/gQsXRoSZGS

— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) August 25, 2020

Officers located the fire which was burning at the west side of the building but quickly realized there was a second fire set on the south side as well. At one point, a fire was started in the middle of the street, which prompted a response from firefighters. After police pushed the crowd south and east, officers disengaged. However, people quickly returned to the PPA building.

By 11:30 p.m., two more fires were lit on the north side of the building. More warnings were issued saying if the crowd did not disperse they would be subjected to crowd control munitions, including tear gas.

More arrests were made, including one during which a group surrounded officers and hit them with umbrellas and other items, reportedly. The officers were still able to pull the detained person away.

By 1 a.m., the crowd had mostly cleared from the area. The PPB made a point to say that due to the riot, adequate resources and officers were not available for other calls happening around the city. They said over 100 service calls were held, including a priority disturbance, a priority assault, a priority burglary to an occupied apartment, welfare checks, threats, and roadway hazards.

A total of 25 arrests were made — however, many charges are expected to be dropped by the Multnomah County district attorney. Police said some of those arrested carried weapons including an electronic control weapon, baton, dagger and multiple knives. Those detained were listed as follows:

Arrests made overnight

• Samuel Saxton, 26, of Newberg, Oregon, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, riot
• Jacob Soto, 41, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, riot
• Amanda Ruiz, 34, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, riot
• Rebecca Saunders, 27, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, second-degree disorderly conduct
• Kathryn Hanson, 53, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer
• Sarah Shaw-Stahlke, 38, of Hillsboro, Oregon, arrested for interfering with a peace officer
• Jazmine Scott, 25, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer
• Jude Leonard, 18, of Hillsboro, Oregon, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, second-degree disorderly conduct
• Bryan Kim, 32, unknown residence, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, second-degree disorderly conduct
• Daryl Stahlke, 41, of Hillsboro, Oregon, arrested for interfering with a peace officer
• Lori Eberly, 46, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer
• Joseph Hampton, 26, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, riot, second-degree disorderly conduct
• Drew Price, 30, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, riot, second-degree disorderly conduct
• Lauren Johnson, 26, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, riot, second-degree disorderly conduct
• John Abatie, 18, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer
• Robert Stamp, 35, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, resisting arrest, second-degree disorderly conduct
• Philipp Hoffmann, 33, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, riot, carrying a concealed weapon, resisting arrest
• Hannah Fewster, 24, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, second-degree disorderly conduct
• Rosemary Lawrence, 30, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, second-degree disorderly conduct
• Aubrey Quinn-Ward, 23, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, riot, second-degree disorderly conduct
• Ezekiel Rose, 24, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, riot, second-degree disorderly conduct, third-degree escape
• Roberto Echavarria, 31, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, riot, second-degree disorderly conduct
• Paul Losch, 39, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, second-degree disorderly conduct
• Matthew Larimer, 26, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, riot, second-degree disorderly conduct
• Gregory Casebeer, 50, of Portland, arrested for interfering with a peace officer, riot, second-degree disorderly conduct, resisting arrest

Follow reporter Jacquelyn Abad for updates throughout the night:

On Sunday night, a crowd marched to the Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct where some people set fires, launched fireworks and threw bottles, rocks and other object at officers, according to police. A riot was declared shortly after 11 p.m. Police eventually deployed tear gas and arrested 23 people, the largest number of people arrested during the nightly demonstrations in more than two weeks.

Two awnings on the outside of the building were set on fire. PPB said officers were pelted with rocks as they put out the first fire from their position on the roof. Police said a lieutenant also got hit with a chunk of ceramic at one point, cutting his hand.

About 35 patrol officers responded to the demonstrations, according to police, severely limiting call response times for other crimes. Toward the end of the riot, there were 80 calls on hold, including car crashes, shots fired calls, missing persons, and more, police said.

Warning: Gallery includes photo of lieutenant’s injured hand