PORTLAND, Ore. — A Portland cannabis shop employee who allegedly shot and killed two people as they attempted to rob the location has been arraigned on multiple charges, including first-degree murder.
On Thursday, Jason Robert Steiner was arraigned on two counts of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree attempted murder and three counts of an unlawful use of a weapon related to the October shooting at North Portland's La Mota dispensary.
The 24-year-old has pleaded not guilty on all counts.
On Oct. 3, at around 10 p.m., officers responded to the shooting at the La Mota location, finding 18-year-old King Lawrence dead and 20-year-old Tahir Burler "shot but still trying to breathe," according to according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office. Burler died at the scene.
Steiner, who was nearby, identified himself as the shooter and handed over a semi-automatic handgun, which did not have a serial number, to police.
Steiner later told detectives that he had been the only employee working the store, and when confronted with three people pointing guns at him, grabbed a bag with his gun in it and left the store, telling them that they could "take the store." Steiner then doubled back and fired through the window until he ran out of ammunition, then called 911.
Police asked Steiner why he didn't simply leave, and Steiner replied that he had been afraid they would grab his car and "hunt him down," according to court documents.
Police are still searching for the third alleged robber.
While Steiner was arraigned on multiple charges related to the shooting and pleaded not guilty on Oct. 10, the indictment this week comes after a Multnomah County grand jury reviewed evidence from the prosecution and represents a more serious set of charges. The two murder charges were upgraded from second-degree to first-degree.
Court filings from Oct. 11 show that Steiner intends to say he acted in self-defense, both of himself and the "premises" of the dispensary.
The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission said it has opened an investigation into the incident. There have been four previous reported robberies at the shop, which remains closed, according to the commission.
KGW's Ashley Grams and Alex Jenson contributed to the reporting of this story.