UPDATE #4: Normandale Park Murder Suspect Booked Into Jail

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March 23, 2022 16:53

This afternoon, Benjamin Smith was released from the hospital and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Murder in the First Degree (4 counts), Assault in the First Degree (3 counts), and Assault in the Second Degree. He is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow.

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The victim in this shooting is identified as 60-year-old Brandy Knightly. The Medical Examiner's Office has determined her manner and cause of death to be homicide by gunshot wound. Knightly's family has been notified of her death.

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The suspect in this shooting is identified as 43-year-old Benjamin Smith. Smith remains hospitalized in serious condition. Detectives are working closely with the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office to share facts and evidence for review to determine potential charges against Smith.

People at the scene removed critical evidence before officers arrived. Investigators ask that anyone with that evidence, as well as video, please contact police as these items are important to the investigation. Detectives would also like to speak with witnesses who left the scene without providing a statement, which could be useful in the case.

Although the woman who died at the scene has been informally named by outside entities, the Portland Police Bureau will not formally release her identity until after we have spoken with her family directly.

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A preliminary investigation into the February 19, 2022 shooting near the intersection of Northeast 55th Avenue and Northeast Hassalo Street indicates this incident started with a confrontation between an armed area resident and armed protesters.

The scene was extremely chaotic, and a number of witnesses were uncooperative with responding officers. Most people on scene left without talking to police. Detectives believe a large number of people either witnessed what happened, or recorded the incident as it unfolded. This is a very complicated incident, and investigators are trying to put this puzzle together without having all the pieces. Detectives ask that anyone with information or video please contact Detective Scott Broughton at Scott.Broughton@portlandoregon.gov (503) 823-3774 or Detective Rico Beniga at Rico.Beniga@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0457. The case number is 22-47502.

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On February 19, 2022, at 8:01 p.m., officers from the North Precinct responded to a shooting call near the intersection of Northeast 55th Avenue and Northeast Hassalo Street. When officers arrived they located a female victim who was deceased. Additional shooting victims, two men and three women, were transported to area hospitals and their status is unknown at this time.

Portland Police Homicide detectives are responding to the scene to investigate. During the investigation, Northeast 57th Avenue is closed to at Northeast Hassalo Street and to the south. Northeast Hassalo Street is closed from Northeast 57th Avenue to Northeast 55th Avenue. Additionally, Northeast 55th Avenue is closed from Northeast Hassalo Street to Northeast Halsey Street.

The identity of the victim, as well as cause and manner of death will be determined by the Oregon State Medical Examiner. Additional information will be released at the direction of investigators.

If anyone has information about this case, please contact Detective Scott Broughton at Scott.Broughton@portlandoregon.gov (503) 823-3774 or Detective Rico Beniga at Rico.Beniga@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0457. The case number is 22-47502.

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