On February 19, 2022, Benjamin Jeffrey Smith approached and assaulted a small group of protesters, at the edge of Normandale Park in Portland, Oregon, United States. He murdered one, caused the paralysis of another (who later died of complications resulting from the attack) from the shoulders down, and seriously injured three others, including a bystander who had approached to deescalate.
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.
Smith was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, four counts of attempted murder, and several assault charges in connection with the shooting. He pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to life in prison.
Shooting
On the evening of Saturday, February 19, 2022, several traffic safety volunteers had gathered near the intersection of NE 55th and NE Hassalo, near the southwest corner of Normandale Park, for a “Justice for Amir Locke” protest, in reference to the...