I just got this report in my feed:
This afternoon, Wednesday October 19, 2011, at 3:39 p.m., Portland Police officers responded to the report of a man arguing with people at Southwest 4th and Salmon Street, next to the Lownsdale Park encampment of Occupy Portland. Officers arrived in the area and learned that the man displayed a handgun and walked towards 3rd and Salmon. Officers located the man at 3rd and Salmon and he was taken into custody. A firearm has been recovered.
At this point, officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the disturbance.
Additional information will be released when it becomes available.
Why was this person at the corner of the camp arguing? I know the story will come out but this is the first report.
Could this be the start of stochastic terrorism? Or was it some sort of other disturbance?
Update:
Officers arrested 32-year-old Jason Charles Parker and charged him with one count of Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree.
Officers learned that Parker walked to the area of Lownsdale Park and was taking video of the Occupy Portland encampment when he was verbally challenged by several occupants of the park. A verbal exchange between Parker and several people in the park followed, with one of the occupants using a racial slur directed at Parker. At some point during the verbal exchange, Parker revealed a handgun in his waistband.
Parker is a concealed handgun license holder.
Parker was booked into the Multnomah County Jail and his photo should be available shortly at www.mcso.us
Portland Police would still like to speak with anyone who witnessed the incident or recorded video of the incident. Anyone with this information is encouraged to call Central Precinct at (503) 823-0097.
I will bring you more news on this incident after investigating the scene tomorrow.