Portland State University police fatally shoot man who was trying to break up a fight

Portland State University police shot and killed a man who was trying to break up a fight outside a sports bar early Friday, multiple witnesses told our affiliate KATU, sparking outrage and protests against the university's armed police force.

Witnesses said the man, whom they identified as Jason Washington, was fatally shot by campus police after a fight at 1:30 a.m. Friday outside a local bar.
The Multnomah County, Oregon, Medical Examiner's office also identified the deceased as Jason Washington. Portland police said in a statement there was an "officer-involved shooting" at that time outside the Cheerful Tortoise bar, but did not identify the person who was shot.
Witnesses told KATU that Washington was trying to break up a fight. During the scuffle, a gun fell out of his holster, witnesses told the news station, and when he reached for it, officers fired at him.
"From there it just kind of took a turn for the worst, and the good guy ended up getting shot," Keyaira Smith, who filmed the shooting, told KATU.

In cellphone video obtained by KATU, officers can be heard shouting "drop the gun" several times and then firing their weapons.
Jason Erik Washington was interviewed by 3m360 affiliate KATU hours before he was killed.
Portland police said in a statement that officers and medical personnel responded to the scene, and "determined the subject was deceased." No other officers or community members were injured in the incident, police said.
"The investigation is in its early stages and additional information will be released as the investigation continues and more information is learned," Portland police said.
Zachary Walker, who said his friends were in the fight, said he didn't feel Washington was a threat.
"I understand the guy has a gun, and you didn't know, but still -- we didn't feel threatened with a guy with a gun," Walker told KATU. "He was a cool guy and nothing was going to happen. We knew he had it, and nothing was going to happen that night."
The two campus police officers involved in the incident are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, Portland State University President Rahmat Shoureshi said in a statement.
The university identified the officers as Shawn McKenzie and James Dewey. McKenzie has been an officer with Portland State University Campus Police since 2002 and Dewey has been an officer with Portland State University since 2014.
"Campus safety is our top priority at PSU," Shoureshi said. "As you know, we are an urban campus, and that presents challenges. We work hard to provide an environment at PSU that is safe and welcoming."