PORTLAND, Ore. — The Parkrose student who brought a loaded shotgun to the high school earlier this year was sentenced to 36 months of probation, as well as immediate mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Angel Granados-Diaz, 19, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in a public building and one count of unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in public.
The Multnomah County District Attorney's office said Granados-Diaz never fired the gun while on the Parkrose campus nor did he ever intentionally point the firearm at anyone but himself.
“Through the course of the investigation it became clear to law enforcement and our office that Mr. Granados-Diaz did not have the intent to hurt anyone other than himself while at Parkrose High School,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Parakram Singh.
Singh went on to say the resolution will allow Granados-Diaz to get the help he needs to address his suicidal ideations and ensures a level of accountability for taking a loaded gun to school.
On May 17, 2019, Portland police responded to Parkrose High School after it was reported that someone had a gun on campus.
When officers arrived they learned that a school employee, later identified as former University of Oregon football player Keanon Lowe, detained Granados-Diaz and had safely secured the shotgun.
Law enforcement located the shotgun and confirmed it was loaded with only one round. Granados-Diaz immediately told law enforcement that he did not intend to harm anyone else other than himself.
During their investigation, police learned Granados-Diaz had been suicidal for several months prior to the incident. That day, he had made suicidal statements to another student. The student reported those comments to school administration.
Lowe, the school's security guard, was sent to find Granados-Diaz. First, Lowe went to his classroom, but Granados-Diaz was inside a nearby bathroom with the gun.
The district attorney's office said Granados-Diaz left the bathroom, visibly upset and holding the shotgun. He turned the gun on himself and tried unsuccessfully to fire the weapon. When the gun failed to fire, Lowe was able to separate it from Granados-Diaz, officials said.
As part of the plea deal, Granados-Diaz agreed for the gun police seized to be destroyed.
Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill wants to remind the community that if you know of someone in crisis or who may harm themselves there are resources available to help.
RESOURCES:
- Multnomah County’s Mental Health Crisis Line | 503-988-4888.
- Lines for Life, a non-profit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide, has a 24/7 crisis line at 1-800-273-8255
- The National Institute of Mental Health has a “Frequently Asked Questions” section about suicide on its website
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-237-TALK.
- The National Crisis Text Line is available by texting the word “HOME” to 741741.
