PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt assigned a senior deputy district attorney to work directly with the Portland Police Bureau and Portland Fire Bureau following Saturday’s arson and property destruction at the Portland Public Schools’ administration building.
“The person or persons responsible for setting these fires pose a significant and immediate risk to public safety. These were violent acts that put property and life in danger. The risk to the firefighters and police officers who responded cannot be understated; these fires could have resulted in explosions, injuries or death. My office is committed to working with law enforcement to identify anyone with ties to these crimes and to then prosecute,” said District Attorney Mike Schmidt.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office appreciates the cooperation the administration and staff of Portland Public Schools have provided throughout this investigation.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is asking that property owners in the vicinity of the Portland Public Schools’ administration building, located at 501 North Dixon Street, to check any security devices that may have captured suspicious activity in the early morning hours of Saturday March 6, 2021.
The senior deputy district attorney assigned to this case has more than 20 years of experience with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.
If anyone has information about this case, please contact Portland Police Detective Meredith Hopper at [email protected] or by phone at 503-823-3408.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time.