A man is dead after driving a car filled with explosives and propane tanks into the Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday, in an incident that police have described as isolated.
Explosives Found After Crash and Fire
Authorities responded to the athletic club around 3 a.m. after employees reported that a vehicle had crashed into the building and caught fire.
When they arrived, the driver was found dead inside the vehicle, and investigators soon discovered multiple incendiary devices, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and propane tanks on the scene. Some of these devices had partially detonated, while others were found in various stages of activation.
Portland Fire and Rescue quickly responded to the fire, while the Portland Police Bureau’s explosive disposal unit was called in due to the discovery of explosives. The unit’s lead officer, Jim DeFrain, noted that his team was still processing the scene more than 14 hours after the incident began. Due to the potential danger, robots were deployed to assist in safely handling the remaining devices.
“This is by far the most complex scene that I’ve ever dealt with,” Officer DeFrain said, with 13 years of experience in bomb disposal.
Federal Agencies Assist with Investigation
The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have joined the investigation, working alongside local law enforcement. Despite the intensive efforts to clear the scene, Portland Police Chief Bob Day reassured the public that the incident appeared to be isolated and did not appear to be linked to domestic terrorism.
Unidentified Driver and Investigation Ongoing
As of now, the driver’s identity remains unknown. Police are working with the medical examiner’s office, which has yet to make an official determination. The risk of other devices being triggered has delayed their efforts to confirm the driver’s identity.
Impact on the Multnomah Athletic Club
The Multnomah Athletic Club (also known as “The MAC”) has been closed indefinitely as authorities continue their investigation. The eight-story building, located near downtown Portland, is a hub for local residents, offering amenities such as restaurants, pools, exercise studios, and banquet facilities.
In response to the traumatic event, Charles Leverton, the club’s general manager, called on the community to come together in support. He emphasized the importance of supporting both the law enforcement efforts and one another as they move forward.
“We are a community, not just a building,” Leverton said. “So for the MAC members that are out there … pull together and do what we do best, which is stay together and support each other right now.”
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into the incident continues, with authorities working to clear the remaining explosives and determine further details about the driver’s intentions. While Chief Day emphasized that the incident is currently considered isolated, further developments may emerge as the scene is fully processed.
