Campus Officers in Oregon Justified in Shooting

Campus Officers in Oregon Justified in Shooting

Portland State University police officers will not face criminal charges following fatal shooting.

A grand jury in Oregon has determined that two Portland State University police officers should not face criminal charges in the fatal shooting of a man outside a Portland bar. The bar is located near campus.

The grand jury deliberated for two days before finding James Dewey and Sharn McKenzie should not face criminal charges stemming from the June 29 incident. The man was legally armed and the focus of the case centered on whether PSU officers should be carrying weapons.

Jason Washington, 45 years old and a Navy veteran, was shot and subsequently died. His widow, Michelle Washington, said in a statement that her family was disappointed and would consult with a private attorney about their next steps. Protests from the shooting centered on PSU’s 2014 decision to arm campus security police officers despite concerns from the student body.

"We want those responsible for the death of my husband to be held accountable," she said. "We will always remember and love Jason and know he was needlessly killed while attempting to keep the peace."

PSU president Rahmat Shoureshi said the death has shaken all involved. "My hope is that our actions following this tragedy will help make our campus and community a safer place for years to come."

Shoureshi invited students and community members to attend an Oct. 4 trustees meeting, and the PSU Student Union said its members would be there in force. They are also planning a rally later this month.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • Transformed Yale Peabody Museum Reopens in Stunning Style

    Emerging from a major four-year renovation, the reimagined Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History has reopened its doors to the delight of the citizens of its longtime home in New Haven, Connecticut and the many visitors, students, and researchers who come to explore and learn about its breathtaking collections and fascinating exhibitions. Read Now

  • CISA Releases Anonymous Threat Response Guidance and Toolkit for K-12 Schools

    The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently released the Anonymized Threat Response Guidance: A Toolkit for K-12 Schools, a new resource to help kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools and their law enforcement and community partners create tailored approaches to addressing anonymous threats of violence, including those received on social media. The toolkit outlines steps school leaders can take to assess and respond to anonymous threats, better prepare for and prevent future threats, and work in coordination with law enforcement and other local partners when these threats arise. It is co-sealed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which provided expert feedback on the toolkit’s key principles and strategies. Read Now

  • How Hospitals are Using Modern Technology to Improve Security

    Workplace violence is a serious and growing challenge for many organizations — including those in the healthcare industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in healthcare and social services experience the highest rates of injuries caused by workplace violence and are five times as likely to suffer a workplace violence injury than workers overall — and aggressive incidents are rising. Read Now

  • Father of Georgia School Shooting Suspect Charged in Connection With Attack

    Colin Gray, the father of the 14-year-old Georgia school shooting suspect, has also been charged in connection with the attack. The 54-year-old father was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars