Bottom line:
The dangerous and vicious situation Portland has witnessed for the past eight weeks continues with violent anarchists rioting on the streets as federal law enforcement officers work diligently and honorably to enforce federal law, defend federal property, and protect the lives of their fellow officers.
In response to nightly attempts to raze and damage the Hatfield Federal Courthouse, DHS made the decision last week to put up a stronger fence around the building’s perimeter. While more secure fencing has kept much of the criminal violence away from the courthouse itself, it has now become a consistent target of the rioters, who constantly are trying to tear it down with ropes, saws, hammers, bolt cutters, and power tools.
As federal officers left the courthouse to respond to attacks on the fence last night, just like on other nights, rioters responded with hard projectiles, mortar style fireworks and lasers that can cause permanent blindness.
The past 24 hours:
At around 8 p.m. local time a shooting occurred in the vicinity of peaceful protest located near federal buildings, possibly involving a juvenile. The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) has said it is investigating the incident.
At 10:50 p.m. local time a rioter began to attack the fence protecting the federal courthouse with a stick. Around this time there were approximately 500-1000 individuals gathered in the vicinity of the courthouse.
At 11:19 p.m. local time rioters launched their first laser attack of the night against federal officers. Shortly thereafter, at around 11:45 p.m. local time, rioters fired the first mortar fireworks of the evening at federal officers.
At 11:49 p.m. local time rioters breached the courthouse fence before exiting again shortly thereafter.
At 11:54 p.m. local time a fire was reported in the vicinity of the courthouse outside the fence perimeter. More rioters continued to climb the fence.
As of 11:58 p.m. local time at least 4 mortars fireworks had been launched at the courthouse.
12:03 a.m. local time federal officers announced their third warning for rioters to cease and disperse.
At 12:04 a.m. local time a flare was thrown into the fence perimeter at the courthouse.
At 12:06 a.m. local time reports indicate that rioters attacked officers inside the courthouse with lasers.
At 12:07 a.m. local time federal officers were forced to use crowd control to repel attacks on them and the courthouse. Rioters responded with more mortar firework attacks.
At 12:09 a.m. local time a Molotov cocktail was thrown over the fence.
At 12:16 a.m. local time federal officers declared an unlawful assembly.
At 1218 a.m. local time reports indicate that a group of rioters were shielding others attempting to breach the fence by cutting through it.
At 12:25 a.m. local time federal officials were forced to leave the courthouse in order to defend the fence. Rioters responded with flaming projectiles.
At 1:00 a.m. local time, a portion of the fence was set on fire.
At 1:10 a.m. local time federal officers were forced to go outside of the fence perimeter to repel rioters’ attacks. They were immediately met with a large mortar firework attack. They also came under an intense laser attack while outside the perimeter.
While outside the courthouse perimeter, per authority granted by federal law, officers swept a nearby park for weapons being used to damage federal property and attacks on their fellow officers. During the sweep chemical sprayers, gas cans, spike strips, and paint were found.
DHS officers conducted a total of 10 arrests – 9 for assault of a federal officer and 1 for violating a no-fly zone with a drone.