March 24, 2022
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
Elisabeth.Shepard@nullmcda.us
DA Mike Schmidt announces Benjamin Smith, 43, suspect in Normandale shootings arraigned and held in custody
PORTLAND, Oregon – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that Benjamin Smith, 43, has been arraigned on nine charges: Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm, four counts of Attempted Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm, three counts of Assault in the First Degree with a Firearm, and Assault in the Second Degree with a Firearm.
The charges stem from a mass shooting at Normandale Park on February 19, 2022. District Attorney Mike Schmidt applied for and received a warrant for Smith’s arrest on February 22, 2022. Due to a gunshot wound sustained during the incident, Smith was hospitalized and unable to be held by the Multnomah County Jail until yesterday. He was arraigned this afternoon on the aforementioned charges. More information regarding this case can be found here. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office has requested that the court hold Smith in custody without bail pending the disposition of these criminal charges.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Smith is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#