Security Guard Shoots Man Near Southwest Portland Preschool in Apparent Self-Defense

On Thursday, May 8, an armed security guard employed by The Gan Portland Jewish Preschool in Southwest Portland shot and injured a man in a parking lot adjacent to the preschool and the Fanno Creek Clinic.

According to a statement from the preschool, the guard acted in self-defense after being threatened and assaulted by the individual. The guard used his “licensed firearm” to protect himself during the confrontation.

Portland Police responded to the scene around 11:50 a.m., finding an adult male with a gunshot wound in the parking lot. The injured man was transported to a hospital by ambulance and underwent surgery. Dr. Gregg Coodley, medical director of the adjacent Fanno Creek Clinic, provided immediate aid by applying pressure to the wound until emergency services arrived.

The security guard remained at the scene and is cooperating with the ongoing police investigation. Authorities have not released the identities of either the guard or the injured man and have not confirmed whether the man was armed. At this time, no arrests have been made.

The preschool emphasized that all children and staff were safe and remained secured inside the building during the incident. They also noted that the presence of armed security is a standard practice due to the rise in antisemitic hate crimes, although police currently do not believe the incident was motivated by religious bias.

Southwest Vermont Street was temporarily closed between Southwest Capitol Highway and Southwest 24th Avenue during the initial investigation. The Portland Police Bureau continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.