Jonathan Levinson

Officials from multiple Multnomah County agencies announced several initiatives Thursday aimed at tackling what they describe as an unprecedented surge in gun violence.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Friday he hopes to reinstate a police bureau program to rehire recently retired police officers in an attempt to shore up the bureau’s staffing and help tackle a worsening gun violence crisis.

The Oregon Department of Justice announced Thursday its investigation into a deadly Tigard police shooting has concluded. A grand jury declined to indict officer Gabriel Maldonado for shooting and killing Jacob Macduff on Jan. 6.

The Multnomah County District Attorney announced on Wednesday that Portland police officer Curtis Brown will face no charges for shooting and killing Michael Ray Townsend. District Attorney Mike Schmidt sent out a statement saying a grand jury declined to indict Brown.

Portland police reported at least one officer exchanged gunfire with a suspect during a standoff Friday in North Portland.

Far right groups, including the Proud Boys, gathered in Portland, Ore., Sunday for what they called the "Summer of Love" rally. Anti-fascist groups also showed up. And violent altercations ensued.

One year after armed pro-Trump demonstrators brawled for hours with anti-fascist counterprotesters in front of the Multnomah County Justice Center, far right extremist groups are expected to attend an anniversary event downtown Sunday. City, state, and federal leaders have issued statements condemning violence and supporting peaceful expressions of free speech, but they are once again wrestling with how to push back against extremist groups coming to Portland and inciting violence.

Portland police documented 150 shootings last month, the most in a single month since the police bureau started collecting gun violence data at the end of 2018. The new high comes after more than a year of steadily increasing gun violence, both in Portland and nationwide, that has left policymakers scrambling for a solution to a problem that isn’t well understood.

In anticipation of the U.S. Department of Justice forcing the city’s hand, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler is directing the police bureau to prepare for a body worn camera program.

City Council established and appointed 20 community members to the ReThink Police Accountability Commission, tasked with designing a transition plan from the current oversight body to the new board, delineating the powers of the new board and determining how it will be organized.