A Portland man accused of plotting to shoot and kill rock climbers at Smith Rock State Park during a 2023 climbing festival will face trial in Deschutes County Circuit Court on Monday.
Samson Zebturiah Garner, 41, has been in custody since his arrest on Oct. 19, 2023, after local authorities were notified by the Portland Police Bureau of Garner’s suspected plan to commit a mass shooting. He faces four counts of attempted murder with multiple victims, eight counts of attempt to commit a felony and 15 counts of unlawful use of a weapon.
The 12-person jury trial, estimated to last 17 days, will take place between Monday and Sept. 11.
Graphic and violent fantasies
Garner had been under police scrutiny for months prior to his arrest after two acquaintances notified authorities that he posed a potential threat. The concerning material found by authorities led a judge to issue an extreme risk protection order, which requires someone who poses a danger to themselves or others to give up their deadly weapons…