UPDATED: Eugene Police respond to reported altercation near E. 6th Avenue & High Street

UPDATE:

At around 10 p.m. on September 23, Eugene Police officers were called to the 300 block of E. 7th Avenue after a man was pepper-sprayed by another near Good Times. A responding officer found probable cause for arresting 28-year-old Ryan Steven Payne, of Portland, for Unlawful Use of Mace and Harassment, after using pepper spray on a 35-year-old man in the area. Payne was later observed in a crowd of protesters. At 12:45 a.m. on September 24, he was taken into custody and transported to the Lane County Jail. Case 25-15482

At 11 p.m., on September 23, a man, later identified as 19-year-old Cade Soren Watson of Eugene, was seen spray painting protest graffiti on the Ferry Street Bridge before taking off his shirt and getting into a vehicle. Eugene Police officer performed a traffic stop and Watson was taken into custody without incident for Criminal Mischief and lodged at the Lane County Jail (EPD Case 25-15483).

"Eugene Police Department will continue to strictly adhere to sanctuary laws and not assist or facilitate immigration enforcement," said Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner. "We will, however, continue to monitor protest and demonstration activity in our community and take appropriate action if criminal behavior occurs. I'm deeply concerned when people travel from outside our community to participate in these protests."

There was a demonstration that began at approximately 2:00 PM at the Federal Building at 211 E. 7th Avenue. At approximately 4:30 p.m. Eugene Police responded to the report of a physical altercation near East 6th Avenue and High Street. Both individuals involved had left the scene before officers arrived, with one person visibly injured. Police later located one of the individuals several blocks away. The Federal Building was vacated at approximately 12:00 p.m. and officially closed for the day at 5:00 p.m. It was confirmed that no immigration related activities were occurring in this Federal Building today.

Shortly after sunset, approximately 60 individuals were present with many wearing Black Bloc-style clothing-including dark attire, masks, gas masks, helmets, and protective eyewear-gathered outside the Federal Building at 211 E. 7th Avenue. Participants were seen throwing objects at Federal Protective Service (FPS) agents, who were on site to protect federal employees and government property. Property was also damaged and defaced during the incident.

Eugene Police Department's Mobile Response Team is monitoring the scene to maintain public safety and protect city property.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and are working to ensure the safety of all individuals in the vicinity.

Anonymous public information indicated that many of these protesters are from Portland.