Jason Washington Pointed Gun At Officers Before He Was Killed

PORTLAND, OR – The two public safety officers from Portland State University involved in the shooting death of Jason Washington will not face charges. A grand jury voted Thursday that the officers acted lawfully in an act of self-defense.

Witnesses had originally said that Washington, a 45-year-old veteran of the Navy who was working for the United States Post Office, was shot and killed when he tried to break up a fight last June 29 outside the Cheerful Tortoise sports bar at Southwest 6th Avenue and College Street.

But grand jurors saw video from officers's body cameras showing that Washington had picked up a gun – despite being told not to – and pointed it toward the officers. Get all the latest information on what's happening in your community by signing up for Patch's newsletters and breaking news alerts.

The gun, which Washington had a permit to carry as a concealed weapon, had fallen to the ground as he tried to break up a fight.

Sources tell Patch that body camera video recorded by the officers showed that Washington ignored warnings not to pick up the gun and was only shot after he picked it up and pointed it at the officers.

The case drew lots of attention because it was the first involving officers from PSU, which voted in 2014 to arm its officers. There were also several witnesses who had insisted to reporters that Washington was merely a good Samaritan looking to breaking up a fight.

The video recorded by officers showed that not to be the case.

Sources also tell Patch that Washington's blood-alcohol level was considerably above the legal limit when the incident happened.

Washington's widow, Michelle, released a statement saying that while she respects the grand jurors, she still wants the officers held accountable.

“Although my family and I are disappointed the PSU officers will not face criminal charges, we appreciate the hard work of those serving on the grand jury," she said. "We want those responsible for the death of my husband to be held accountable.

"We will always remember and love Jason and know he was needlessly killed while attempting to keep the peace.”

In her statement, she said that she will be looking to her lawyer, Christopher Larsen, for guidance on what to do next.

Larsen says the family intends to "vigorously pursue legal action against those who are responsible for this tragic death.”

Asked about the video showing Washington pointing his gun at the officers, family spokesman Michael Kesten said that they have nothing to add beyond their statements.

Public Safety Officers Shawn McKenzie and James Dewey have been on administrative leave since the shooting. Both became public safety officers for PSU in 2016.

After the grand jury announcement, PSU President Rahmat Shoureshi said the school has retained independent experts to conduct two reviews: one of the shooting and a separate one into campus safety procedures.

"Our goal is to move as rapidly as possible without compromising opportunities for fact finding, campus input and evidence-based outcomes." Shoureshi said. "I believe these two rigorous independent reviews are the best way to achieve this."

Because the Multnomah County District Attorney is prohibited at this point from releasing information from the grand jury – information obtained by Patch – many are reacting to the lack of indictments based on a conception of the case shaped by inaccurate initial reports.

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