An Oregon man charged with shooting two Portland police officers during a sidewalk confrontation is facing a long list of felony counts after prosecutors outlined the alleged attack and his subsequent arrest, while the defendant delivered a series of inflammatory remarks in court.
Eric F. Oelkers, 41, appeared before a judge on Wednesday for arraignment on charges that include two counts each of attempted aggravated murder, attempted assault, and unlawful use of a weapon, along with additional offenses. The case stems from a Jan. 19 incident in northeast Portland that left two officers wounded.
According to police, officers responded shortly before 8:30 p.m. to a report of a threat involving a weapon near Northeast 21st Avenue and Northeast Clackamas Street. When officers located Oelkers and ordered him to place his hands on his head, he allegedly refused to comply and instead opened fire, striking both officers before fleeing the scene.
The Oregonian reported that investigators believe Oelkers pulled the firearm from a tote bag and was observed carrying “a black backpack and a green shopping bag” at the time of the encounter. Police said the officers did not return fire. Both were transported to a hospital for treatment and have since been released.
A weeklong manhunt followed the shooting, ending with Oelkers’ arrest on Jan. 26.
During his arraignment, Oelkers was described as outspoken and disruptive. “This entire process is an unconstitutional and illegal insurrection,” he said, according to The Oregonian. “Trump knows it. Trump’s coming.” As he was escorted out of the courtroom, he reportedly shouted, “have fun in hell.”
Court records and prior reporting indicate that Oelkers made similar statements during a hearing last month following his arrest, where he railed against undocumented immigrants and Antifa and questioned whether his court-appointed attorney was artificial intelligence. “You’re all in active rebellion against the United States of America,” he declared at the time.
Prosecutors also noted that Oelkers was wanted on a separate hate crime warrant related to a 2021 incident in Salem. He is accused of vandalizing a Black-owned business during protests following the 2020 election. Jonathan Jones, the owner of Epilogue Kitchen and Cocktails, told Oregon Public Broadcasting that Oelkers was among “a mob of people” associated with far-right groups who targeted the area during the demonstrations.
Oelkers remains in custody at the Multnomah County Jail and is being held without bond as the case proceeds.
