Portland Mayor Calls For End To Anti-Trump Protests; Shooting Suspects Charged

A man was shot and injured during a protest march on the Morrison Bridge in Portland Friday night, according to Portland Police. It happened during the fourth consecutive night of protests fueled by opposition to the election of Donald Trump.

Police say a motorist exited his vehicle and fired multiple shots, injuring a man following a confrontation with protesters on the bridge. The suspect then fled the scene.

Police announced Saturday an off-duty officer spotted the suspect's vehicle in Northeast Portland Saturday morning. Authorities detained four people in connection to the shooting and seized one firearm in what police called a "high-risk traffic stop."

Two 18-year-olds were charged in the shooting. Steffon Marquise Corothers faces one count of attempted murder and one count of unlawful use of a weapon. Shamar Xavier Hunter faces six counts of attempted murder and one count of unlawful use of a weapon. Both are being held in the Multnomah County Jail and will appear in court Monday, Nov. 14.

The Portland Police Bureau has assigned Gang Enforcement Team detectives to the investigation. Police say the occupants of the vehicle "are believed to be criminal gang associates."

The victim was transported to a Portland hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to survive, according to police.

Portland police deployed flash bangs and tear gas Friday night in an effort to get protesters to disperse after an evening of demonstrations.

Early in the night, after a couple of hours of peaceful sit-ins at Portland City Hall, one group of protesters took to the streets, taking over SW 4th Avenue where they walked toward a line of police dressed in riot gear. Another group remained at City Hall to continue the sit-in.

Police told the protesters there is an approved route they could follow, but protesters did not appear to have taken that advice. Police also advised the splinter protest that anyone entering the freeway will be subject to arrest.

Friday's protest marks the fourth night people took to the streets to speak out on a wide range of issues, including the election of Donald Trump. Shortly before 9 p.m., police labeled the protest, which continued to divide into smaller groups, as an "unlawful assembly."

Police arrested 17 people for actions during Friday's demonstrations.

During Thursday's relatively peaceful protest, what appeared to be a small subgroup of self-described anarchists began to wreak havoc, breaking windows, scribbling graffiti and igniting fireworks.

Portland's Resistance, a newly formed activist group behind some of the demonstrations this week, had raised nearly $45,000 as of 11 a.m. PST to fund repairs for damaged Portland businesses and support the person injured in Friday's shooting. The group has upped its fundraising goal from $50,000 to $100,000.

Portland's Resistance announced it will not organize a demonstration Saturday, but will hold a candlelight vigil for the shooting victim Sunday.

It is unclear if other activist organizations will protest Saturday. Portland Mayor Charlie Hales called for an end to the large-scale demonstrations on city streets.

"Don't come participate in a protest in downtown Portland tonight," Hales said.

The mayor said the largely peaceful protests were hijacked by a smaller group of people who wanted to "raise hell." Portland Police Chief Mike Marshman said authorities are investigating possible criminal activity during demonstrations throughout the week.

Just because a person was not arrested immediately, Marshman said, "doesn't mean we're not out there looking for you."

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"We are done with criminal activity in this city," he added. "It is time to move on and move forward."

Hales praised police for taking a "measured approach" to the demonstrations.

Updates

This article was originally published at 6:15 p.m. PST.

Updated at 8:45 p.m. PST to reflect the police's labeling the protest an unlawful assembly.

Updated at 10:25 p.m. PST with information about police deploying flash bangs and tear gas.

Updated at 8:20 a.m. PST to include information on reported shooting.

Updated at 11:21 a.m. PST with latest information from Portland Police.

Updated at 2:59 p.m. PST with statements from mayor and police chief.