Portland Man Accused Of Planning ‘Violent Attack’ At Climbing Festival

Police in Oregon have arrested a Portland man they say was planning a “violent attack” at a rock climbing festival in Deschutes County over the weekend.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said deputies arrested Samson Zebturiah Garner last Thursday after receiving a tip from the Portland Police Bureau.

Police say the 39-year-old planned to target rock climbers at the Smith Rock Craggin’ Classic, a three-day climbing event hosted by the American Alpine Club at Smith Rock State Park.

Deschutes District Attorney Steve Gunnels told the Bend Bulletin that Garner had driven from Portland to Deschutes County, which was considered a step toward committing the crime. A search of Garner’s Subaru yielded evidence of the planned attack, including three handguns and an AR-15 rifle, he said.

Garner’s journal entries indicated he didn’t have specific targets in mind, only a “generalized anger,” sources told Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Charging documents provided to HuffPost by the district attorney’s office state Garner faces four counts of attempted murder, with “Belayer 1,” “Belayer 2,” “Spectator 1,” and “Spectator 2” named in the document.

When climbers use a rope, a belayer handles the rope for their partner, ensuring it will catch the partner should they fall.

The event, billed as a “3-day grassroots climbing festival,” went on as planned.

The American Alpine Club confirmed the “potential threat” in a statement, adding that attendees’ safety was the group’s “top priority” in evaluating whether to move forward with the festival.

“The associated individual was arrested and is now in custody, and authorities are confident there is no continued threat,” the Club said. “We are grateful to the law enforcement agencies for their efforts and support during this incident.”

Garner was booked into the Deschutes County Jail. Court records show he faces 27 charges, including four counts of attempted first-degree murder, 15 counts of unlawful use of a weapon, and charges for assault.