DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. — A Portland man faces attempted murder charges after authorities said he was planning a 'violent attack' at an event in Deschutes County.
The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office said detectives arrested Samson Z Garner, 39, Thursday when they learned he had left Portland and was in the county.
The attack appeared to target a rock-climbing event at Smith Rock State Park. The American Alpine Club, a non-profit based in Colorado, was hosting the 'Smith Rock Craggin Classic' this weekend, a three-day climbing festival.
The organization was made aware of the potential threat at the event on Wednesday, according to a post on its Facebook page.
"We worked closely with law enforcement agencies and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to monitor the situation and evaluate our ability to host the event, with the safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers, partners, and participants as our top priority," the post said.
Deschutes County detectives learned of the threat after detectives for the Portland Police Bureau tipped them off on Monday, authorities said. The two agencies worked together for several days to investigate Garner.
A search warrant of Garner's vehicle after his arrest on Thursday led to the discovery of "evidence of the planned attack," according to Deschutes County authorities. Among the evidence found were several guns including a Beretta 9mm handgun, a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun and an AR-15, according to KTVZ, a news partner of KGW. The weapons were listed in a Deschutes County District Attorney's charging document filed Friday.
The charging document listed potential victims as "spectator" and "belayer", a person who controls the safety rope for climbers.
Garner was booked on charges of attempted murder, first and second-degree attempted assault and unlawful use of a weapon.
"We believe he [Garner] was acting alone," DA Steve Gunnel's office told KTVZ. "We believe the fact that he's been arrested means there's no current threat to the public, so long as he's in custody."