Far-right Activist and Former Speed Skater Arrested for Shooting at Portland Protesters
On Saturday, Aug. 15, an alt-right group known as “The Proud Boys” showed up to counter-protest Black Lives Matter (BLM) and anti-police activists. Bear mace, rubber projectiles, paintballs and obscenities were common throughout the day, but soon things began to escalate, and shots of live ammunition rang through the air.
It took less than a week for the shooter to be identified and arrested.
Skylor Jernigan, 27, was booked at Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office by Portland Police on Wednesday at 3:48 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. He currently faces multiple charges: discharging a firearm in the city, menacing, reckless endangerment, and two charges of unlawful uses of a weapon—racking up a total of three misdemeanors, two felonies, and $17, 500 in potential fines.
Several witnesses from the protest recorded the event, providing multiple photos and videos of the shooting. Even the passengers within the suspected vehicle inexplicably published an account of the incident online.
Screenshot of video showing handgun pointed at protestors from a blue sedan. Credit to @Jovannithe1st of @defendpdx (Twitter).
It is around the 18:03 mark that the video turns into an evidence reel.
“Do you want me to hold the pistol or are you good?” Inquires one passenger.
“No, I’m good.” Replies the other.
About one minute later, two distinct shots ring through the air.
Within moments activists and concerned citizens began gathering information in attempt to identify the individual who aimed the handgun out of the blue sedan.
Shell casing left behind after shooting. Credit to @Macsmiff (Twitter).
It wasn’t long until clear video of the driver in question was found and shared online, leading to the identification of Skylor Jernigan as the driver and likely shooter.
A slowed down version of the video, provided by antidote503 on Instagram, shows the handgun was shot at shoulder level towards the crowd, instead of into the air.
Not much is known about Jernigan outside of his political activities and affiliations, but it appears that he was a speed skater and possibly a floor guard for Team Oaks in Portland, Oregon. It is rumored that he was problematic during his tenure with the social organization. Team Oaks did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Jernigan’s arraignment took place this evening at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time.
Addendum: As of Aug. 22, 2020, I was contacted by a skater for Team Oaks via Facebook Messenger. A Pastebin link to a transcription of the e-mail, providing additional details on Skylor and his affiliation with Team Oaks skating, can be read here.
Feature Photo: Credit to @bermixstudio at Unsplash.com