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
