Man Who Pulled Gun On Protestors In Portland Demonstration Found Guilty

By James England

PORTLAND, OREGON — Prosecutors successfully argued before Multnomah County Circuit Judge Thomas Ryan that concealed carrier and independent videographer-journalist Michael Aaron Strickland, 37, did not have reasonable fear of his own life when he pulled out a semi-automatic pistol and attempted to withdraw from a Black Lives Matter and Don’t Shoot Portland demonstration.

According to Oregon Live, Strickland was found guilty of 10 counts of unlawful use of a weapon, 10 counts of menacing, and second-degree disorderly conduct. Sentencing for Strickland’s trial begins in May.

This case had plenty of video evidence. Strickland, himself a videographer, had recorded parts of the incident in which he was surrounded by members of two organizations and allegedly pushed around and given express threats to harm his life.

At one point, he drew his handgun and told those blocking his exit to “get back!”

No shots were fired and he did not resist Portland police when they arrested him. He was legally licensed to carry a handgun.

We’re not lawyers but I picked out a law that the prosecutors likely used to dismantle Strickland’s case.

2015 ORS 161.219¹