Planned mass shooting event averted at Smith Rock

[ZA_Survivalist]

Nasty divorces always rattle folks.. but to plan an attack innocent people? That's some cowardly nonsense right there.

 

[OldBroad44]

His journal apparently only said something about generalized anger. Of course he's angry. If his journal said anything about shooting anyone, they did not give us the quote. Of course if he's going to some big event that involves travel and camping in the boonies he's gonna have some guns with him if he's a gun owner. If he did anything illegal or planned anything illegal they haven't told us enough to indicate that. Maybe the "tips" came from his ex-wife and are just made up lies just to strip him of guns and freedom because she hates him. Or because she is afraid of him, whether or not he actually planned to kill anyone.

 

[nehalemguy]

I can't help but think that reading the linked article would clear up many of these questions

Such as what? The OPB article is rather anemic on details. It hints at a journal that the guy allegedly kept and references to some tips relayed to authorities (by who?) but that is really the only meat on that bone.

The revelation of the divorce.....which I learned here on this site ....to me is a rather important piece to have left out of the OPB story. All we really have to go by at this point is the Deschutes County prosecutor's version of what went down.

-E-

 

[GrayGoose]

Take the guns first.
Due process later.

I heard that somewhere...

 

[Stomper]

So far, the information is rather vague and mostly opinions. I'd like to see his actual written statements. If he was plotting something, put him away. But I just don't trust prosecutors these days. Some of them seem to be horribly biased.

Don't forget politically ambitious, and looking to score career points….

 

[RVTECH]

and this guy who happened to have weapons in a van. Neither of them used these weapons and without further evidence, I see no crime committed.

This is kinda what I am seeing so what exactly what were the 'attempts' and 'unlawful use' as described in this part? Do 'journal entries' and 'general anger' now constitute 'attempts' (at something) ?

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office arrested Samson Zebturiah Garner on Thursday and took him to the county jail on several charges each of attempted murder of multiple victims, attempted first degree assault, attempted second degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

 

[Tlock]

A divorce initiated by the ex wife with minor children involved, apparently. I would imagine the spousal/child support combo many men in such a situation endure was enough to push him over the edge. Too bad he couldn't just jump off the rock

Weak minded people....

 

[Lazyfaire]

Looks like he had just gotten a divorce:

https://trellis.law/case/26125/2023-518496-dm/garner-lindsey-vantiem-vs-garner-samson-zebturiah

Everybody else's fault but his....

 

[bradsteen]

A little more info here:

Background emerges about Portland climber accused of planning mass shooting at Smith Rock weekend event - KTVZ

More details have come to light about the climbing and work background of a Portland man arrested late last week on attempted murder and other charges, accused of bringing several guns to Central Oregon for a planned shooting attack at a Smith Rock climbing event this weekend.

ktvz.com

Deschutes County detectives received information Monday from Portland Police Bureau detectives about a man identified as Samson Zebturiah Garner "planning a violent attack during an event" in the county, Sergeant Jason Wall said Friday.

DCSO and Portland detectives worked for several days to investigate the man, and learned Thursday that Garner had left Portland and was in Deschutes County, Wall said.

 

[RVTECH]

Detectives later served a search warrant on Garner's vehicle and found "evidence of the planned attack," the sergeant added.

Well, it seems the caveat is 'evidence' - however whatever the 'evidence' was is apparently being withheld from the reporting.

My point being is I HOPE the 'evidence' is something real and tangible, and not something thinly 'veiled' as just weapons in the vehicle.

 

[nehalemguy]

A little more info here:

Background emerges about Portland climber accused of planning mass shooting at Smith Rock weekend event - KTVZ

More details have come to light about the climbing and work background of a Portland man arrested late last week on attempted murder and other charges, accused of bringing several guns to Central Oregon for a planned shooting attack at a Smith Rock climbing event this weekend.

ktvz.com

Not much more than what the OPB article gave.

I want to believe that authorities were on the ball in this case and did a stellar job to avert a tragedy. I really do.

But............that cynical streak deep in the back of my conscious is currently sounding off like a four-alarm fire call. I am waiting for the shoe to drop that the "tips" originated with the ex-wife.

Now, if authorities later show journal entries, social media posts, an unusual pattern of purchases, etc., then I will be at ease. But for the time being, I'm not there yet.

-E-

 

[solv3nt]

Now, if authorities later show journal entries, social media posts, an unusual pattern of purchases, etc., then I will be at ease. But for the time being, I'm not there yet.

-E-

Oh man, an unusual purchase pattern? I just ordered four guns.

 

[nehalemguy]

Oh man, an unusual purchase pattern? I just ordered four guns.

Yeah, but for me that's normal. I just bought three last week. Ya gotta keep your patterns shadowed man!!

 

[Camelfilter]

...an unusual pattern of purchases, etc...

Linked in with other non hearsay hard evidence? Sure.

On its own "an unusual pattern of purchases" could likely be found from any firearms enthusiasts.

 

[nehalemguy]

Linked in with other non hearsay hard evidence? Sure.

On its own "an unusual pattern of purchases" could likely be found from any firearms enthusiasts.

You left out the part where I had that combined with other evidence. I didn't have it listed "on its own".

I wonder how long he had owned those three firearms?

-E-

 

[OldBroad44]

Not much more than what the OPB article gave.

I want to believe that authorities were on the ball in this case and did a stellar job to avert a tragedy. I really do.

But............that cynical streak deep in the back of my conscious is currently sounding off like a four-alarm fire call. I am waiting for the shoe to drop that the "tips" originated with the ex-wife.

Now, if authorities later show journal entries, social media posts, an unusual pattern of purchases, etc., then I will be at ease. But for the time being, I'm not there yet.

-E-

I share your suspicions. I think if the journal had actually said anything genuinely incriminating the cops would have gleefully said so and given us an explicit quote. I think the fact that all they said was there were references to general anger means that there was nothing more incriminating, and this guy is being railroaded for no reason other than being a gun owner and having an ex-wife that hates him.

 

[Nick Burkhardt]

"The Deschutes County prosecutor", **** that guy. He put a man in prison for a justified selfdefense shooting because the attacker was of a different race.

We don't even stop for gas in Bend anymore.

 

[Mikej]

I don't think the "Authorities" give out the information we're wanting to see here any more. No more mug shots. No more past histories. Vagueness is all it is now.

My prediction: This will fade away because the REAL evidence of firearms being "BAD" that they want, just isn't there.

"Generally Angry" Seriously?

 

[solv3nt]

"Generally Angry" Seriously?

I mean, my wife is angry enough, let alone if she becomes my ex.

 

[Provincial]

We all knew, when "Red Flag" laws were proposed, that they would be abused by those enabled by them (domestic partners, family, etc.) to harass gun owners. Add to this the lack of accountability of those enforcing the laws (police, prosecutors, and judges) which would lead them to err in the side of draconian actions against the accused, in order to avoid the risk of being accused of failing to protect the potential victims.

No down side to errors linked to excess, versus open to criticism if they applied the law fairly. What could go wrong?