At 2:08 p.m., October 21, there was a protest at 405 E. 8th Avenue in Eugene. Eugene Police Mobile Response Team had responded to monitor safety at the planned protest. At about 3:15 p.m., an estimated 200 marchers concentrated in a city block began to a march.
The crowd was marching southbound on Pearl approaching E. 8th Avenue when a man later identified as Jonathan James Wisbey, age 51, stopped his pickup, blocking the crowd. He engaged the crowd and there was a verbal altercation. EPD MRT began closing on the area as members of the protest slashed one of the truck’s tires. Wisbey got out of his truck and shot a splatter ball gun into the crowd. Immediately a couple of protestors armed with handguns drew their weapons. Very quickly, EPD MRT officers were able to challenge all armed subjects, and they were detained without further issues. EPD patrol responded in emergency mode to cover EPD MRT and to create distance with the 200-member crowd returning to the scene and encircling officers. There was a concern when other armed subjects were seen in the crowd, including one who had an AK-47.
Wisbey, was arrested and lodged at Lane County Jail on charges of Menacing, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, and Bias Crime in the First Degree.
Case 23-15877
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