PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police are investigating after a driver claimed a group of protesters caused thousands of dollars in damage to his car on Saturday.
Video shot by Brandon Farley showed a car pushing through the crowd near Southwest 4th Avenue and Madison Street, minutes after marching protesters stopped traffic. The driver of a Lexus sedan turned right, hitting one protester who was pushing back on his car. The group then chased after him and some hit the car with batons. The driver briefly stepped outside, then got back in and drove off.
Police said the driver filed a police report claiming protesters did around $3,000 in damage to his car.
“The driver of the vehicle reported that he was also shoved during that interaction,” said Portland Police Sgt. Chris Burley.
Burley said police were investigating the case but that so far, none of the protesters involved has contacted investigators.
“If you are those people, we want to talk to you,” said Burley. “You are potentially the victim of a crime and no investigation is a full investigation until we're able to talk to everybody involved.”
KGW reached out to the driver. He declined to comment.
Some have asked why police didn't step in when the protesters stopped traffic. Burley said the police bureau’s inaction came after much consideration, including how best keep the public safe.
“From past experience, the Police Bureau recognizes introducing officers into some of these events can have the opposite effect of what we want it to have,” said Burley.
The protest was over police response to a shooting on September 30. Officers shot and killed one of the suspects, 27-year-old Patrick Kimmons.
If you were involved in the altercation during Saturday's protest or believe you were a victim of a crime during the protest, police ask that you contact them via the bureau’s non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.