Alleged killer in Portland’s Normandale Park protest shooting identified

The man suspected of shooting and killing a racial justice demonstrator Saturday night has been identified as Benjamin Jeffrey Smith, 43, of Northeast Portland.

Smith’s identity was first reported by antifascist researchers and the Oregonian/OregonLive. Smith’s roommate and neighbors said he had grown increasingly angry with protests in the neighborhood and across the city, as well as the unhoused community who camp in the area.

Smith’s roommate, Kristine Christenson, told OPB that when she first moved into his apartment seven years ago, he let her stay there for free.

“When I first moved in, he seemed fine,” she said. “He was actually not that bad of a guy.”