JURY FINDS MAN GUILTY OF MURDERING STRANGER ON TRIMET BUS IN 2021
- 06/09/26
Case: 21CR40036
Portland, OR- A Multnomah County jury on June 8, 2026, found Wayne Conrad Thompson guilty of Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm. In addition Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Kelly Skye found Mr. Thompson guilty of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm with a Firearm.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Eric Zimmerman and Deputy District Attorney Branden Meadows prosecuted the case for the state. After the verdict they issued a joint statement:
“Violence on the transit system won't be tolerated, and we hope our riders know that we take their safety very seriously.”
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Portland Police Detective Jeff Sharp and Trimet CCTV Security Manager Ben McClean for their outstanding work on this case.
The DA’s Office would also like to highlight the work of MCDA Victim Advocate Alex Bidwell who brought compassion and caring to the family during this difficult time.
THE FACTS:
On August 8, 2021, the victim, Adrian Richardson boarded a TriMet bus headed eastbound on Hawthorne. Trimet video captured what happened next. He took a seat and began verbally harassing another passenger. The verbal harassment continued for a couple of minutes, and the bus operator continued to make regular stops and pick up other passengers, including the defendant, Wayne Thompson.
The three rode the bus together for about 30 more seconds, at which point the victim called the person he was harassing “white trash” and other derogatory names. The bus operator pulled the bus over at 26th and Hawthorne and yelled to the victim “get off.” The defendant also yelled “get off” at Mr. Richardson. Mr. Richardson shouted back at the defendant who then took a pistol out of his pocket. The defendant pointed the firearm at Mr. Richardson, again and said “get off” and immediately started shooting. The entire interaction lasted about 10 seconds, and the defendant gave no true opportunity for Mr. Richardson to deboard the bus. The defendant shot Mr. Richardson a total of 5 times.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 6, 2026.
###MCDA###
JURY FINDS MAN GUILTY OF MURDERING STRANGER ON TRIMET BUS IN 2021
- 06/09/26
Case: 21CR40036
Portland, OR- A Multnomah County jury on June 8, 2026, found Wayne Conrad Thompson guilty of Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm. In addition Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Kelly Skye found Mr. Thompson guilty of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm with a Firearm.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Eric Zimmerman and Deputy District Attorney Branden Meadows prosecuted the case for the state. After the verdict they issued a joint statement:
“Violence on the transit system won't be tolerated, and we hope our riders know that we take their safety very seriously.”
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Portland Police Detective Jeff Sharp and Trimet CCTV Security Manager Ben McClean for their outstanding work on this case.
The DA’s Office would also like to highlight the work of MCDA Victim Advocate Alex Bidwell who brought compassion and caring to the family during this difficult time.
THE FACTS:
On August 8, 2021, the victim, Adrian Richardson boarded a TriMet bus headed eastbound on Hawthorne. Trimet video captured what happened next. He took a seat and began verbally harassing another passenger. The verbal harassment continued for a couple of minutes, and the bus operator continued to make regular stops and pick up other passengers, including the defendant, Wayne Thompson.
The three rode the bus together for about 30 more seconds, at which point the victim called the person he was harassing “white trash” and other derogatory names. The bus operator pulled the bus over at 26th and Hawthorne and yelled to the victim “get off.” The defendant also yelled “get off” at Mr. Richardson. Mr. Richardson shouted back at the defendant who then took a pistol out of his pocket. The defendant pointed the firearm at Mr. Richardson, again and said “get off” and immediately started shooting. The entire interaction lasted about 10 seconds, and the defendant gave no true opportunity for Mr. Richardson to deboard the bus. The defendant shot Mr. Richardson a total of 5 times.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 6, 2026.
###MCDA###
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