Man displays gun during confrontation with Occupy Portland protesters, police say

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Published: 10/19/2011 9:57 pm

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Jason Parker is accused of revealing a handgun during an argument with Occupy Portland protesters Wednesday afternoon. Oct. 19, 2011. (Portland Police Bureau)

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Jason Parker is accused of revealing a handgun during an argument with Occupy Portland protesters Wednesday afternoon. Oct. 19, 2011. (Portland Police Bureau)

A man is under arrest, accused of brandishing a handgun near the Occupy Portland encampment Wednesday afternoon.

At approximately 3:39 p.m., Portland police responded to reports of an argument at the intersection of Southwest 4th Avenue and Salmon Street, which is on the perimeter of the Lownsdale Square portion of the downtown encampment.

The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) reports that Jason Charles Parker, 32, was shooting video of the encampment when he was confronted by several park occupants. During the ensuing argument, one of them allegedly used a racial slur towards Parker. At some point during the exchange, police say Parker revealed a handgun in his waistband.

Parker was taken into custody at the intersection of Southwest 3rd Avenue and Salmon Street. The suspected handgun was also recovered by police. Parker has a concealed handgun permit for the weapon, according to a PPB press release.

He is charged with one count of disorderly conduct in the second degree. He is lodged in the Multnomah County Jail.

This follows Tuesday night's arrest of a suspected marijuana dealer at the encampment, and a short police search and recovery of a missing girl. Police spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson said the bureau is constantly evaluating its presence at the around-the-clock protest.

"It is a little concerning that we have now a firearm issue down there," said Simpson.

Simpson added that there are currently four officers always on dedicated patrol at the encampment.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact PPB at (503) 823-0097.

-- KOIN Local 6 staff

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openyoureyes - 10/22/2011 9:46 PM

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AND BY THE WAY ~~ SHAME ON KOIN LOCAL 6 FOR NOT GETTING ALL OF THE FACTS AND TRYING TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE THIS WAS THE FAULT OF OCCUPY! THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING TO KEEP PEACE ~ THEY ARE OUT THERE ON THE FRONT LINE STANDING UP FOR ALL OF US ~ EVEN YOU!

openyoureyes - 10/22/2011 9:41 PM

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Actually ~ that guy was trying to film inside of a tent where a girl was undressing. When confronted, he began flashing a gun and making threats. He was arrested after the police were called. Perhaps you should get ALL of the facts before jumping to conclusions... And as far as what the encampment may be costing taxpayers ~ Guess what the government has been sucking up trillions of dollars -PUTTING US DEEP IN DEBT- and giving it to foreign aid TO COUNTRIES WE ALREADY ARE IN DEBT TO. Now tell me, does it make sense that a country that is rich enough to BUY OUR DEBT is too poor to care for its own? And why, pray tell, does our government think that giving aid to another country should take precedence over our own economic woes? Or how about them bailing out all those banks because they were gambling and lost... I don't know about you, but I have never gotten a refund from the government when I didn't win the lottery. Ok... how about this one... The government gave the Oregon Forestry Dept a STIMULUS... that means it is meant to "stimulate the economy" by creating jobs for the many unemployed people of Oregon. But guess what? THEY NEVER OFFERED THE JOBS LOCALLY! That's right. They brought in FOREIGN workers to do the job. WOW!! Why don't you start complaining about something that REALLY matters?

smalldog - 10/20/2011 8:33 PM

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The police officers who arrested this guy should be ashamed of them selves.

smalldog - 10/20/2011 8:31 PM

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O.K. lets actually think about this...that means using your brain. A guy is filming just like a whole bunch including the protesters..he is confronted by not one, but a group of people. They start getting confrontational and then go to the race card.....at that point he is one guy confronted by a group who are getting more and more aggitated and start calling him racial slurs. At this point he may have thought he was in danger..he has a permit and he didnt point it or use it..just showed it.(I wouldnt have, as I dont show it till I'm ready to use it.) Then the group who were acting like punk ass thugs calls the cops (who they hate and call pigs and write it on the police cars) This guy did nothing wrong. The fact these people even approched him and confronted him and started taunting and calling him racial slurs tells me that he may have been in danger and he did what he had to do. They are freaking shooting heroin down there and have no respect for anyone. Give him back his pistol. He used it as it was meant to be used..to stop attackers. PERIOD!

3goldbars - 10/20/2011 2:58 PM

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1. Hmm, the left-wingers are making racial slurs and not adhering to their own alleged principles...not a surprise there. Remember that it wasn't the Democrats who stood up for the blacks back in the day, or now! 2. I have no problems with responsible concealed handgun owners, but this guy was a complete idiot for brandishing his weapon. He should lose his license.

Andy Handstand - 10/20/2011 2:00 PM

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Who's getting the bill for the "around the clock" watch of these toolboxes? The tax-payers. Just the group the "Occupiers" are trying to protest for...the "99%". These guys are just brilliant. Let's go out and cost the city thousands for unnecessary police protection, park restoration, and clean-up of these bum's messes. Way to drive the point home, "protesters".

ENelly - 10/20/2011 11:39 AM

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How long will we tolerate these hippies before we break out the fire hoses? Come on Sammy boy we know you have a spine your standin up arnt you? Use your office for something other than Green boxes and bag bans.Worthless city government!

Suppertime - 10/20/2011 10:56 AM

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A dude's not allowed ta shoot video no more?? Sounds like the occupancy folks are a bunch of vagrants. What's the typical profile of an 'Occupied' person?? How do such dirtbags sustain themselves down there anyway? Are taxpayers subsidizing these deadbeats -- anyone know??

jportland - 10/20/2011 6:50 AM

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BTW the answer is in your laws you posted. It only says a city may adopt ordinaces to prohibit "possesion" of firearms in public places and then lists the exceptions. Nowhere does it says permit holders are not subject to the rest of the Oregon laws regulating firearms and their use. THis man was not arrested for the possesion, he was arrested for showing it off with intent for that to intimidate. He would have been better off to say, "Get back I'm armed."

jportland - 10/20/2011 6:26 AM

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Umm your still not allowed to brandish a pistol becuase you have a CCL permit unless you feel your life is in danger. I dont see anywhere in the news stories showing that condition was met. I see he was angry about the racial slurs and does not equal deadly force or the threat of deadly force. The same rules of carrying and using of firearms apply to anyone permit or not. The permit just allows you carry the weapon in places non permit holders cant. It also means you should know better and there is no excuse for behavior like this. As for the protestors and their disorderly conduct I agree with you. THis is what happends when you selectively enforce the law. Sam agrees with the protestors they get a pass. He dont like guns so no pass there.

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