On Saturday, September 5th, the Oregon State Police assisted the Portland Police Bureau with the rioters in Portland. The criminal activity presented an extreme danger to life safety for all community members, and prompted a declaration of a riot.
Individuals within the crowd began throwing illegal fireworks/mortars at officers. Others were seen throwing rocks and at least one had a “wrist-rocket” type of slingshot launching unknown objects. In order to defend themselves from these assaults, officers used crowd control munitions, including tear gas and numerous targeted arrests were made.
As rioters lit fires in the streets, including dumpsters, garbage cans, and wooden pallets, officers moved in to push the crowd back in order to extinguish the fires.
During numerous confrontations with officers, individuals launched attacks on law enforcement, including throwing objects and a sergeant was directly struck by a commercial grade firework, which burned through his glove and injured his hand.
Several officers and troopers were struck by rocks in the head, arms, shoulders, and feet and only their protective gear prevented serious injury. An Oregon State Police vehicle was damaged by rocks, including broken windows and dents. An un-exploded mortar was recovered by police.
Over 50 people were arrested, one had a dagger, another had a knife and at least two were wearing body armor.
The response to this event included not only Portland Police Rapid Response Team and Oregon State Police, but the Portland Police Bureau precincts had to pull officers out of patrol to assist. This limited the ability to respond to calls and by 2:00am there were almost 150 calls for service holding in the City of Portland.
