A suspect described only as a white man was fatally shot that morning by an officer in response to a report that a man aimed a gun at the park, the Portland Police Department (PPB) said in said a news release.
The PPB says lethal force was used after trying ‘less’ lethal’ rounds, the news release said. Officers provided medical first aid, but the male person died at the scene.
While the shooting was being investigated, a crowd gathered and started shouting at officers, the PPB said.
“The hostile crowd, estimated to be more than 100 people, tore down the police band at the scene and entered the work area,” Portland police said in a press release Friday night.
Protesters beat officers with sticks and water bottles as they left the park, the PPB said.
According to the department, no chemical ammunition was used against the crowd, but a ‘rubber ball diversion device’ was used.
No officers were injured and no arrests were made.
The PPB said ‘the Bureau member concerned’ is an eight-year veteran of the department.
The officer’s name will be released on Saturday and the officer will be placed on paid administrative leave until the investigation is completed by police and the district attorney’s office in Multnomah County, the PPB said.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler issued a statement Friday urging everyone to “continue with empathy and peace.”
“This shooting is always traumatic for everyone involved and for our community, regardless of the circumstances. I want to show my sympathy to the individual involved and their family. I also think of the officers involved,” Wheeler said.