Portland Police Say Man Who Entered Mosque Shouting Threats Is Receiving Mental Health Treatment
PORTLAND, Ore. — A man who burst into the Abubakar Islamic Center prayer hall in Northeast Portland on Wednesday has been admitted to a mental health facility for treatment.
This has been confirmed by a spokesperson for the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), who stated that officers recognized the man from previous interactions.
Prosecutors Will Not Be Filing Charges
PPB has also confirmed that prosecutors will not be filing charges against him.
The incident unfolded at 6 a.m. on Wednesday when the man burst into the prayer hall, shouting threats that frightened worshippers.
Frightened Congregants Locked Themselves Inside the Mosque
He allegedly told worshippers that if any of them stood up, they would die. He then exited the building, and congregants immediately locked themselves inside the mosque.
No one was injured during the incident at the Montavilla neighborhood mosque.
PPB stepped up patrols of the neighborhood, as detectives investigated a possible bias (hate) crime.
According to mosque board members, this was not the first time that the man visited their place of worship. However, his previous visit was limited to asking several questions, including the hours of prayer meetings.
No Connection to the Stray Bullet That Struck the Hillsboro Mosque
Meanwhile, a bullet that struck the wall of a Hillsboro mosque on March 21 is not connected to this incident. According to the PPB, the bullet was fired by target shooters a mile away and struck the mosque after ricocheting.