An Oregon man was arrested on Oct. 21 and charged with allegedly planning to carry out a mass shooting at a rock climbing event in Deschutes County, according to officials.
Law enforcement officers arrested Samson Z Garner, a 39-year-old Portland resident, after receiving information from Portland Police Bureau detectives about an individual who was “planning a violent attack” during an event in the Deschutes County area, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said in a media release.
Detectives with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office subsequently worked with the Portland Police Bureau throughout the week to investigate Mr. Garner and his alleged planned attack.
They found that he had left his home in Portland and was in Deschutes County on Oct. 19, according to the media release.
Officials were able to locate Mr. Garner and his vehicle and, working with the SWAT Team members, arrested him without incident.
Evidence of Mr. Garner’s alleged planned attack was later discovered by police during a search.
Mr. Garner was subsequently charged with attempted murder, attempted first-degree assault, attempted second-degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon.
‘No Continued Threat’
“Detectives have determined there is no continued threat as Garner is now in custody and, at this time the investigation indicates that Garner was acting alone,” the sheriff’s office said. “DCSO detectives are continuing to work on this investigation along with PPB detectives. Any further information will be released by the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office.”While the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office did not state where Mr. Garner was allegedly planning to carry out the mass shooting, it was widely believed to be at a rock climbing event held by the American Alpine Club, a nonprofit based in Golden, Colorado, according to an Oct. 20 statement posted by the charity.
According to that statement, the American Alpine Club was “made aware of a potential threat to the health and safety of attendees to the Smith Rock Craggin Classic” on Oct. 18.
Suspect Held on $10 Million Bail
“We worked closely with law enforcement agencies and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to monitor the situation and evaluate our ability to host the event, with the safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers, partners, and participants as our top priority,” the American Alpine Club said. “The associated individual was arrested and is now in custody, and authorities are confident there is no continued threat.”“We are grateful to the law enforcement agencies for their efforts and support during this incident,” the group added.
Police found three handguns and an AR-15 rifle in Mr. Garner’s vehicle following his arrest, the district attorney said, adding that the shooting suspect likely posed a danger to the general public based on his mental health.
According to the district attorney, Mr. Garner was served with an extreme risk protection order; a one-year court order that can ban an individual from buying, attempting to buy, or possessing a firearm, rifle or shotgun if that individual poses a high risk of using them to hurt other people or themselves.
It was not immediately known whether he had legal representation.
