Portland Man Accused of Firing Shotgun at Driver Faces Attempted Murder, Bias Crime Charges

Portland, OR. — A Portland man faces attempted murder and bias crime charges after police say he fired at least two shotgun rounds at a passing driver in the Piedmont neighborhood on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Marc W. Schaffer, 52, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, first-degree bias crime and second-degree criminal mischief, according to the Portland Police Bureau. No one was injured.

North Precinct officers responded at 11:03 a.m. to a report of someone carrying a gun in the 6700 block of North Commercial Avenue. While officers were responding, dispatchers relayed additional reports that the person was firing shots.

Police said officers confronted Schaffer, who complied with commands to drop the shotgun. He was taken into custody within seven minutes of the first police unit being dispatched. Officers recovered the shotgun and seized it as evidence.

Investigators with the bureau’s Enhanced Community Safety Team determined that the suspect had fired at a passing driver, according to police.

The bureau said statements made by the suspect provided evidence that the shooting was influenced by his perception of the driver’s race. The release did not identify the driver, disclose the driver’s race or detail the suspect’s statements.

The allegations have not been proven in court.

Anyone with information who has not already spoken with investigators is asked to email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov, address the message to ECST and reference case number 26-316621.