Portland Mass Shooting Suspect Charged With Murder And Assault

PORTLAND, OR — A 43-year-old man opened fire Saturday night on a group of protesters, killing one and wounding four others, before he was wounded by a protester who returned fire, Portland police said.

The man, Benjamin Smith, remains hospitalized in serious condition, officials said.

The woman who was killed was identified as 60-year-old June Knightly, police said.

The medical examiner concluded Knightly was shot to death. An official told Patch that she was shot in the head.

Smith is now charged with murder, attempted murder and two counts of assault.

The incident occurred soon after the start of a rally in Normandale Park. People were demanding justice for Patrick Kimmons, a Black man shot and killed by police in 2018 while running from a scene where police said that he had wounded two people.

Officials said Smith had left his house near the park, armed with a .45-caliber weapon. He got into a confrontation with Knightly and at least one other protester and started firing, police said. At one point, a person in the crowd who was also armed fired back, wounding Smith, police said.

That person later surrendered his weapon and was arrested. He was later released after police viewed video showing that the person was acting in self defense. They also determined that the person had been carrying his weapon legally.

Police said they are dealing with what has become a far-too-common occurrence — people removing evidence and witnesses refusing to talk with officers about what they saw and heard.

"People at the scene removed critical evidence before officers arrived," an official said.

Detectives know that some had recorded the incident and would like those people to contact them.

Meanwhile, police executed a search warrant at Smith's home Monday night, saying they were looking for several items including his computer, phone and weapons. The FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office are following the investigation and will determine whether federal charges are warranted.

Knightly, who walked with a cane, was part of the traffic safety detail at the rally, helping protect protesters. She was known as "T-Rex" and had a reputation for being a caring person. She survived cancer twice and, after the George Floyd murder, became very active in Portland protests, often working to help protect marchers.

She leaves behind her wife and a son.