MALIK MUHAMMED CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER OF POLICE OFFICERS DURING RIOTS

 Multnomah County District Attorney's Office

PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that the grand jury has indicted Malik Muhammed, of Indiana, on allegations that Muhammed attempted to murder two police officers during separate riots in Portland by using explosive devices.

The 28-count indictment, filed on March 22, 2021, charges Muhammed with the following crimes:

• Attempted aggravated murder (two counts);
• Attempted assault in the first degree (two counts);
• Attempted murder in the first degree (four counts);
• Attempted murder in the second degree (two counts);
• Criminal mischief in the first degree (six counts);
• Riot (four counts);
• Unlawful manufacture of a destructive device (two counts);
• Unlawful possession of a destructive device (two counts);
• Unlawful possession of a firearm (one count);
• Unlawful possession of a loaded firearm (one count);
• Unlawful use of a weapon (two counts).

It is alleged that Muhammed traveled to Portland in September of 2020 for the specific purpose of engaging in multiple criminal acts, and that after engaging in these separate criminal episodes, Muhammed returned to Indiana.

On Friday April 02, 2021 law enforcement located and arrested Muhammed without incident at a residence in Indiana. The arrest warrant stemmed from the March 22 indictment. Muhammed is currently booked in the Marion County, Indiana jail awaiting extradition to Oregon.

Incident #1

According to court documents: it is alleged that on September 05, 2020, Muhammed engaged in tumultuous and violent conduct near the Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct that resulted in a grave risk of causing public alarm.

Incident #2

According to court documents: it is alleged that on September 21, 2020, Muhammed threw a large burning object toward a police vehicle occupied by a Portland Police Bureau sergeant during a demonstration near the Penumbra Kelly Building. The device did not explode. Police described the object as a large yellow bottle similar to a beer growler. The bottle had a burnt rag stuffed in the mouth of it and contained a large amount of liquid. Investigators tested the liquid and found it to be flammable.

As part of the investigation into the September 21, 2020 incident, law enforcement located a price tag which allowed them to locate where the bottle was purchased. Video from the store shows Muhammed and another person buying a large amount of bats and multiple beer growlers including two that were yellow in color.

Incident #3

According to court documents: it is alleged that on September 23, 2020, Muhammed threw a large burning object toward a group of officers outside the Multnomah County Justice Center. Police described the object as a large yellow bottle similar to a beer growler. On impact, the burning device exploded and a large fireball cascaded outward. While most of the officers were able to move out of the way, one Portland Police officer was sprayed with fire and his lower leg caught fire for a moment.

As part of the investigation into the September 23, 2020 incident, law enforcement searched Muhammed’s cellphone and located a shopping list that included common ingredients used to make a Molotov cocktail, according to court documents.

Incident #4

According to court documents: it is alleged that on October 11, 2020, Muhammed used a metal baton to smash out the windows of the Oregon Historical Society, Portland State University, Sprint T-Mobile, Bank of America, and Ben Bridge Jewelers. When law enforcement located and arrested Muhammed on that date, they located a loaded pistol magazine in his pocket. During a police search of the nearby vicinity, police located a loaded pistol. The magazine located on Muhammed was designed to fit the firearm located at the nearby arrest location. In total, the pistol and magazine contained 30 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Muhammed remains in the Marion County Jail in Indiana.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the Portland Police Bureau, the Portland Fire Bureau, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Oregon State Police, the United States Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (Indiana) for their assistance with the investigation of this case.

No additional information can be released at this time.

A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Muhammed is innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 https://youtu.be/7vJT2_eceRE