PORTLAND MAN SAMSON GARNER SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON FOR PLANNING MASS SHOOTING AT SMITH ROCK STATE PARK (Photo)
- 11/10/25
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
Deschutes County District Attorney's Office
Deschutes County Sheriff's Office
MEDIA CONTACT:
Steve Gunnels, District Attorney
541-771-6785
Stephen.Gunnels@dcda.us
BEND, OR - On November 10, 2025, Deschutes County Judge Alison Emerson sentenced 41-year-old Portland resident Samson Garner to 30 years in prison for Attempted Murder and other charges related to the plan and actions that he took to carry out a mass shooting at an event at Smith Rock State Park in October of 2023.
Garner shared plans to show up at a climbing event to rampage through the event, shooting participants and spectators. He was aware that a few hundred people would be attending. Garner also discussed his persistent thoughts about murder and vengeance and his desire to kill people and inflict intense feelings of shock and trauma on those who would watch but do nothing to help.
In August 2023, the day before the event was scheduled to begin, Garner drove from his residence in the Portland area, after a prolonged period of isolation in his house, to Deschutes County, where he was contacted by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and taken into custody. He was in possession of multiple firearms, body armor, and a large cache of ammunition. He had packed a tactical vest to capacity with ammunition, including armor-piercing rounds.
“The conviction of Samson Garner is the result of outstanding investigative work and interagency collaboration that undoubtedly saved lives,” said Sheriff Ty Rupert. “Our Detectives Unit, with vital support from Patrol Deputies, worked closely with the Portland Police Bureau and the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office to track Garner’s movements, gather critical evidence, and build a strong case that ensured justice was served. Their professionalism, diligence, and commitment to protecting our community reflect the very best of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and demonstrate the power of proactive policing and strong partnerships in preventing acts of violence.”
The Portland Police Bureau, which first received information about Garner’s threats, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office worked together and performed admirably to stop Garner from carrying out his plan. They took his threats seriously and prevented what would have been a catastrophic mass-casualty incident, had Garner’s plans played out.
“The diligent work by law enforcement prevented a horrific tragedy,” said Portland Police Chief Bob Day. “The remarkable professionalism and seamless coordination across law enforcement—from PPB patrol officers and detectives to our threat assessment team, behavioral health, and our partners at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office—ensured that nothing fell through the cracks. And it all began with a tip from the community who recognized that one individual could pose a significant danger.”
This case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorneys Mary Anderson and Stacy Neil on behalf of the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office. After hearing testimony from dozens of witnesses and reviewing over 100 trial exhibits, the jury returned a verdict of guilty on all 26 felony charges.
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