Case No. 21CR40036
PORTLAND, Ore. — A Multnomah County jury on June 8, 2026, found Wayne Conrad Thompson guilty of Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm in connection with a 2021 shooting on a TriMet bus in Southeast Portland. In a related ruling, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Kelly Skye also found Thompson guilty of Felon in Possession of a Firearm with a Firearm.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Eric Zimmerman and Deputy District Attorney Branden Meadows prosecuted the case on behalf of the state. Following the verdict, they issued a joint statement emphasizing transit safety, saying, “Violence on the transit system won’t be tolerated, and we hope our riders know that we take their safety very seriously.”
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office credited Jeff Sharp and Ben McClean for their investigative work on the case. The office also recognized Victim Advocate Alex Bidwell for supporting the victim’s family throughout the proceedings.
The Incident
Prosecutors said the case stems from an August 8, 2021, shooting aboard a TriMet bus traveling eastbound on Hawthorne Boulevard in Portland.
According to trial evidence, the victim, Adrian Richardson, boarded the bus and began verbally harassing another passenger. The conduct continued for several minutes as the bus made routine stops and additional passengers boarded, including Thompson.
Shortly after Thompson boarded, Richardson reportedly escalated the confrontation, directing insults at the other passenger. The bus operator then pulled over near 26th and Hawthorne and ordered Richardson to exit the bus. Thompson also told him to get off.
Witness accounts and surveillance video presented at trial showed Richardson verbally responded before Thompson drew a handgun from his pocket, pointed it at Richardson, and repeated the command to leave the bus. Prosecutors said Thompson immediately opened fire, striking Richardson five times. The entire confrontation lasted roughly 10 seconds.
Authorities said Richardson was given no meaningful opportunity to deboard before the shooting occurred.
Next Steps
Sentencing for Thompson is scheduled for July 6, 2026, in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
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