IN Man Gets 10 Years for Throwing Firebombs at Police During Portland Riots

An Indianapolis man who plead guilty to 14 felony charges, including attempted murder, for assaults on police during the 2020 riots in Portland, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The Multnomah County (OR) District Attorney's Office says that in the late summer of 2020, Malik Muhammed traveled to Portland. "His criminal activity spanned September and October of 2020 and included four separate criminal incidents," the DA says.

"On September 5, 2020, Muhammed constructed multiple Molotov cocktails.  He then brought those explosive devices, along with baseball bats, to a planned protest event that evening at the East Portland Police Precinct Building.  During the event, Muhammed handed out the bats and threw multiple explosive devices in the direction of police officers.  One of those devices landed short and caused a fiery explosion which engulfed a fellow protester in flames, causing severe injuries to that person’s legs. 

"On September 21, 2020, Muhammed attended a planned protest event at the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Penumbra Kelly Building.  During that event, Muhammed threw a lit Molotov cocktail at Portland Police Officers.  That explosive device failed to explode and was recovered as evidence.  Police examined the large yellow glass growler and located DNA and a Goodwill sticker on the bottle.  This evidence along with an extensive investigation was used to identify Muhammed.

"On September 23, 2020, Muhammed attended another planned protest event at the Multnomah County Justice Center which houses court facilities, local jail facilities with inmates, the Portland Police Central Precinct and numerous other justice system related offices.  During the event, a separate protester set the building on fire and police moved into the area to extinguish the fire.  When police advanced, Muhammed threw a Molotov cocktail at the police officers.  This explosive device caused a fiery explosion which narrowly missed multiple officers and caught the clothing of one of the officers on fire.

"The last of the incidents occurred on October 11, 2020, when Muhammed attended a planned protest in the area of Directors Park in downtown Portland.  During this event, Muhammed used a baton to smash the windows of the Oregon Historical Society, Portland State University, and multiple other businesses in the downtown Portland area.  During his arrest, Portland Police Officers observed Muhammad attempt to hide a loaded firearm.  Officers recovered the gun upon his arrest," the DA said in a statement.     

In addition to the 10-year prison sentence, the court imposed over $200,000 in restitution.