A man was shot and killed late Saturday night in Portland, Reagan, as a large convoy of Donald Trump supporters and opponents of Black Lives Matter hit the streets, police said.
It is not clear whether the shooting was linked to a shootout as protesters in the city’s downtown were confronted by a fleet of about 600 vehicles.
The Associated Press freelance photographer heard three shots and then looked at police doctors working on the victim’s body, who appeared to be a white man.
Portland police officers heard gunshots from the area of Southeast Third Avenue and Southwest Alder Street, Portland Police said in a statement.
“They reacted and were shot in the chest. The medical responded and determined that the victim was dead. “
Portland has been the scene of overnight protests for more than three months following the police assassination of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Hundreds have been arrested by local and federal law enforcement and before the shooting, police made several arrests Saturday and advised residents to avoid downtown.
The chaotic scene came two days after Trump called Portland a “liberal city full of violence” in a speech at the Republican National Convention as part of his “law and order” re-election campaign theme. The convoy marked the third Saturday in a row that Trump supporters had rallied in the city.
A convoy of Trump supporters gathered at a nearby mall earlier in the day and marched as a group to the center of Portland. As soon as they reached the city, protesters tried to stop them by staying on the street and blocking bridges.
Sporadic fights were seen in videos of the scene, as well as Trump supporters firing paintball bullets at protesters and counter-opponents throwing objects at the Trump convoy using bear spray.
“There have been several cases of violence between protesters and counter-protesters,” Portland Police said via Twitter. “Officers intervened and arrested in some cases.”
Black Lives Matter displays typically target police buildings and federal buildings. Some protesters have called for a reduction in the police budget, while the city’s mayor and some members of the black community have denied the violence, saying it is hostile.
Early Saturday morning, a fire broke out outside the police union building, which was frequently used for protests, so police would declare a riot.
An accelerator was used to light the pillows and other debris placed in front of the Portland Police Association building, police said in a statement. At least one dumpster was also set on fire on a nearby street.
There was a commotion in the lobby of the Portland mayor’s condominium building on Friday night.
