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PORTLAND, Ore. — A Portland resident has been arrested on suspicion of a bias crime after allegedly firing at least two gunshots at a passing driver in the Piedmont neighborhood on October 31, 2026.
Marc W. Schaffer, 52, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of a first-degree bias crime, first-degree attempted assault, second-degree attempted murder, and second-degree criminal mischief.
Portland Police North Precinct officers responded to a report of someone seen with a gun in the 6700 block of North Commercial Avenue at 11:03 a.m. As they were traveling to the scene, the officers were notified that the suspect had begun firing shots.
On arrival at the scene, the officers challenged the suspect, who complied with orders to drop a shotgun. Officers took Schaffer into custody within seven minutes of the first police unit being dispatched.
The police seized the shotgun as evidence.
Police Say Shooting Was Influenced by Perceived Race
An investigation was launched by the Enhanced Community Safety Team (ECST), which determined that the suspect fired at least two shots at a passing driver, police said.
Based on the suspect’s statements, investigators found evidence that the crime was influenced “by the suspect’s perception of the victim’s race,” according to police.
No one was injured during the incident.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the ECST by email at [email protected] and reference case #26-316621.
Under Oregon law, bias-crime statutes cover specified conduct targeting a victim because of the suspect’s perception of the victim’s race, color, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, or national origin.
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