PPB Responds to Numerous Significant Events on Busy Fourth of July Weekend

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As anticipated, the Fourth of July holiday weekend was busy, with Portland Police officers handling a public order event downtown, shootings, attempted street takeovers, and other calls.

The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) became aware of a protest planned at Lownsdale Park in Downtown Portland and made attempts to connect our Dialogue Liaison Officers (DLOs) with event planners to assist with safety planning. However, no effective engagement was achieved. Due to some concerns about safety, PPB activated additional resources, including DLOs, the Rapid Response Team (RRT), a speaker-equipped public address vehicle (sound truck), and the Air Support Unit. PPB also received mutual aid assistance from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) and embedded Portland Fire & Rescue Firefighter-Paramedics in with RRT.

During the evening, multiple groups, some with opposing viewpoints, came together and engaged in verbal and sometimes physical confrontations. Officers maintained a visible presence to deter criminal behavior, although officers reported significant hostility toward law enforcement from some attendees. There were also some scuffles with uninvolved passersby. In one, a person displayed a firearm. Officers investigated and determined that the person had a concealed handgun license and no crime was committed.

Some attendees lit small fires. An attendee used a liquid accelerant to extend an existing fire, prompting PPB to use the sound truck to issue a verbal warning.

At about 10:41 p.m., Ryan S. Payne, 29, of Gresham, Oregon, was arrested for using a stick to damage a utility box and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) on a charge of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree (case #26-194297).

At about 11:17 p.m., Ethan W. Johnson, 32, of Corvallis, Oregon, was arrested for adding liquid accelerant to a fire and booked into MCDC on a charge of Reckless Burning (case #26-194367).

Incident Command believes that the event would have been much more dangerous if not for the police presence and engagement. There likely would have been additional assaults and reckless burning. There were no reported significant injuries or uses of force by police.

Earlier in the day, an officer assigned to East Precinct was on routine patrol in the area of Southeast 130^th Avenue and Southeast Center Street when he spotted a suspicious vehicle with switched license plates. The officer contacted the driver and determined the vehicle was stolen. An inventory of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of two loaded firearms, drugs, and drug paraphernalia. The driver, Steven L. Lagrew, 36, of Portland, was arrested and booked into MCDC on the following charges: Felon in Possession of a Firearm (two counts), Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Meth, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Fentanyl, Delivery of Cocaine, Delivery of Meth, Delivery of Heroin, and Delivery of Fentanyl.

Officers also addressed other public safety concerns, including a call about 10:02 p.m. of a 4-year-old child who had had gotten separated from his parents during the festival in Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Numerous officers responded to help look for the boy. A community member found him unharmed and he was reunited with his family (26-194220).

Several patrol officers had to respond to the Marquam Bridge because drivers were stopping on the freeway to view the fireworks display, creating a significant hazard. Officers effectively moved drivers along and reopened the lanes of traffic (26-194177). In addition, Officers were dispatched to Sellwood, where there were reports of large gatherings outside of Oaks Park along the Willamette River.

Officers also responded to multiple shootings that took place during the weekend.

On Sunday, July 5, 2026, at 1:49 a.m., officers assigned to East Precinct responded to reports of shots fired in the 12400 block of Southeast Powell Boulevard. They found one female adult with a serious gunshot wound. She was transported to the hospital by ambulance for treatment, and after medical care, her injuries are not believed to be life threatening. There was evidence of dozens of shots being fired. Officers interviewed witnesses and collected evidence. The Enhanced Community Safety Team (ECST) was activated and responded to investigate. PPB has a website to submit tips about this incident (case number 26-194483).

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At 2:58 a.m., officers assigned to Central Precinct responded to the area of Southeast 6^th Avenue and Southeast Washington Street on reports of shots fired. Officers found evidence of gunfire at the scene and property damage. They closed the crime scene, interviewed witnesses, and collected evidence. ECST responded to assist. An adult male later arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound, and investigators believe he was hurt in this incident. His injuries are serious but not believed to be life threatening. ECST is also investigating this incident. Anyone with information is asked to submit a tip to police about this incident at this designated website (case 26-194529).

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At 3:35 a.m., officers assigned to North Precinct responded to a report of a serious crash involving two vehicles at North Columbia Boulevard and North Chautauqua Boulevard. When they arrived, they found a Nissan Maxima had collided with a tractor-trailer. An adult female was seriously injured and transported to the hospital by ambulance. Officers investigated and determined the vehicle had been struck by gunfire. The driver was not shot, but she suffered injuries from the impact (case 26-194547). The case is under investigation and anyone with information should submit a tip to the case-specific online tipsheet.

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During the evening, PPB received some reports of street takeover activity in various places. PPB sent officers to deter them, and no significant extended takeovers were reported. There were also a couple of unrelated serious car crashes.

PPB is grateful for the assistance of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and Portland Fire & Rescue.

This is just a sampling of the events that occurred; many events are not included in this summary. Even with extra resources on hand, there was a significant gap between available PPB officers and the demand for police services citywide. During the evening, there were over 100 calls for service in the queue with no responders available.

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