• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Portland police release officer-involved shooting video to ‘combat misinformation’ after violent protest

The angry mobs believed a black person died in the shooting due to false information spread on social media

Portland Police Bureau

(Portland Police Bureau)

June 28, 2021
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

PORTLAND, Ore. — Despite several attempts to appease the angry Portland mobs by telling them that a recent subject killed during an officer-involved shooting (OIS) was not black, but white, police released video and the name of the man killed in the fatal shooting in an effort to dispel “misinformation.” This comes after a mob of protesters showed up to smash windows and flatten tires while the use of force investigation was still underway.

Last week an angry mob gathered in Portland’s Lloyd District to protest what they apparently thought was a fatal officer-involved shooting of a black man in the area earlier. The decedent was a white man, Law Officer reported.

Apparently believing “erroneous” information was spread on social media regarding the race of the suspect fatally shot by police, the department clarified on Twitter that the person was an “adult white male.”

There is erroneous information being circulated on social media regarding in the officer involved shooting in the Lloyd district. We can confirm that the subject involved is an adult white male. No one else was injured.

— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) June 25, 2021

The Portland Police Bureau on Friday identified the man killed as Michael Ray Townsend, 40, Fox News reported.

Michael Ray Townsend (Portland Police Bureau)

On Thursday, North Precinct officers were dispatched at 7:06 p.m. to a report of a welfare check on a white adult male dressed in all black at a motel in the 500 block of Northeast Holladay Street, according to reports.

“After officers arrived with paramedics, they encountered a man matching that description and an officer-involved shooting took place,” the bureau said in an initial statement. The critically wounded man was transported by ambulance to a hospital, but lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful, Fox reported.

To further dispel “misinformation” about the incident, PBB released video of the OIS. It shows Townsend lunging at a group of six first responders with an object in his hand before he was fatally shot.

“While the investigation is still in its early stages, and releasing evidence at this point is rare, providing this video is critical to combat misinformation being spread,” Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell said in a statement Friday. “Transparency and community trust are extremely important to us, but so is a full, complete, and thorough investigation. This illustrates how important it is to allow the investigation process to unfold before spreading unverified information. An officer use of deadly force is among the most important investigations that we do, and it’s crucial that we take the time to do it right.”

“Townsend’s family has been notified of his death,” the bureau said. “They did not provide a photograph and do not want to speak to the media.”

PBB previously identified the officer involved in the fatal encounter as Curtis Brown, an 18-year veteran of the agency assigned to the North Precinct. Brown will remain on paid administrative leave until the completion of the bureau and Multnomah County District Attorney Office’s investigation.

When “misinformation” about the shooting was spreading on social media, some protesters became violent and threw items at officers. One agitator attempted to grab an officer’s baton while a second officer was reportedly hit with pepper spray as he tried to intervene, Law Officer reported.

A crowd has formed at the officer involved shooting scene. Some participants have thrown objects and tried to enter the closed area. An officer’s baton was grabbed by someone and when another officer intervened, the officer was sprayed with a chemical. pic.twitter.com/eHxcBXTrOg

— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) June 25, 2021

Some protesters tried to enter the cordoned-off area where the shooting took place.

Chief Lovell issued a video statement via Twitter last week as tensions mounted. “Our officer encountered a very difficult and dynamic situation that no officer wants to face. I want to thank all our members who responded to the scene as well as those who were out taking emergency calls in the city. I’m thankful and proud of their efforts.”

My statement from the scene of the officer involved shooting in the Lloyd District. pic.twitter.com/Qg0Cxfbl0i

— Chief Chuck Lovell (@ChiefCLovell) June 25, 2021


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: Chief Chuck Lovellfatal shootingMichael Ray TownsendoregonportlandPortland Police Bureau
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Malik Fard Muhammad

Portland rioter sentenced to 10 years in prison

June 23, 2022
Tanner Hoover

Oregon man reportedly tries to abduct child, kills himself as police close in

June 8, 2022
Oregon officials

Oregon officials admit that decriminalizing drugs has failed as overdoses skyrocket

June 6, 2022
Source: @Twitter/Toronto99News

Antifa attacks Republican volunteers in Portland

May 1, 2022
Kyle Hedquist

Oregon govern pardons killer serving life sentence without notifying victim’s family

April 28, 2022
Amara Marluke

Portland State University student gunned down near campus, former football player arrested

April 6, 2022
Load More

Latest Articles

Pittsburgh police

Disciplinary action for unvaccinated Pittsburgh police ‘put on hold’

June 30, 2022

Do not accept the leadership position if…

June 30, 2022
Kaitlin Armstrong

Texas love triangle murder suspect Kaitlin Armstrong captured in Costa Rica

June 30, 2022

Weak Police Chiefs: A Top Enemy of Law Enforcement

June 30, 2022
Rob Bonta

California Attorney General leaks private data of thousands of gun owners

June 30, 2022
Sheriff Brad Coe

Disgusted Texas sheriff returns migrants to border after vehicle pursuit and crash

June 30, 2022
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

MUST READ

Rob Bonta

California Attorney General leaks private data of thousands of gun owners

June 30, 2022
Sheriff Brad Coe

Disgusted Texas sheriff returns migrants to border after vehicle pursuit and crash

June 30, 2022
Samuel Quinton Edwards

Fugitive killed in shootout with Kentucky State Police

June 29, 2022
Heroic Police Work

Appeals Court Hears Lawsuit Against Heroic Police Work

June 28, 2022
Benito Madrigal

Drug smugglers busted with 150,000 fentanyl pills released from custody on own recognizance

June 28, 2022
Load More

JOIN THE FIGHT

SAFEGUARD RECRUITING

Police Officers Needed – Entry level and lateral applicants wanted!

February 14, 2022

Deputy Sheriff

February 3, 2022

Dispatcher

January 25, 2022

Deputy Sheriff (POST Certified)

January 25, 2022

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com