On October 18, a Portland-based man was arrested by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office on suspicions of planning a mass shooting, targeting climbers at this weekend’s Craggin’ Classic at Smith Rock. Mazamas leadership first became aware of the situation that same morning, when we were notified of a credible threat. The perpetrator was detained shortly thereafter, and authorities are confident that there is no continued threat. We are grateful to law enforcement and others whose interventions and skillful efforts led to his swift and nonviolent arrest.
We have learned that the suspect was a member of the Mazamas, making this news all the more devastating and difficult. With the safety and well-being of our members, volunteers, and students always our top priority, the Mazamas takes physical, psychological, and emotional safety seriously, and we recognize this news may be especially troubling for members.
If you are in need of support during this time, our Critical Incident Stress Management team is available as a resource.
If you have questions or inquiries regarding the ongoing investigation, please direct them to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.