UPDATE: A former U.S. Army soldier, Chase Grijalva, has been sentenced to two years in prison for shooting out multiple traffic cameras across Portland, Oregon. The Multnomah County Circuit Court delivered the urgent verdict on Wednesday, ordering Grijalva to pay a staggering $55,548.20 in restitution for damages that totaled over $50,000.
Grijalva, now 30, pleaded guilty to several serious charges, including unlawful use of a firearm and first-degree criminal mischief. The District Attorney’s Office stated that Grijalva’s reckless actions caused widespread alarm and risked public safety within city limits.
The rampage began on May 27, 2024, early in the morning at the intersection of Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Lloyd Boulevard. Over the next two weeks, Grijalva shot out cameras in 12 separate incidents, damaging a total of 17 cameras that monitored red light and speeding violations.
On June 10, Portland police apprehended Grijalva after a witness reported seeing him shoot out a traffic camera at Southeast 122nd Avenue and Southeast Stark Street. Officers discovered five shell casings at the scene, and with a detailed description of the vehicle, they arrested him later that day. During questioning, Grijalva confessed to targeting traffic cameras for over a week, claiming he had shot at least seven.
Deputy District Attorney Aileen Santoyo emphasized the dangerous nature of Grijalva’s actions, stating, “Mr. Grijalva’s actions were extremely dangerous and caused a sense of alarm in the community.” After serving his 24-month sentence, Grijalva will be on probation for five years, during which he is prohibited from possessing firearms. If he violates probation, he could face an additional 60 months in prison.
Grijalva’s motivations were revealed during the investigation, with testimony from officers indicating he viewed himself as a martyr against what he perceived as government extortion. An entry found in his notebook read, “For many weeks I would go upon the city of towers to destroy the eyes of extortion throughout, sword in hand.”
This case has raised significant concerns about public safety and the implications of such reckless behavior. As the community grapples with the aftermath, the sentence serves as a warning against similar acts of violence.
With this urgent update, residents of Portland are reminded of the importance of vigilance and the potential dangers posed by unlawful actions in their city. Stay tuned for more developments on this case and its implications for public safety in the region.
