'Just a bunch of dudes walking across the bridge wearing camo'
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PORTLAND, Ore. – It's a scene that practically defines the phrase "keep Portland weird."
Portland police shut down the Burnside Bridge on Wednesday evening and detained 13 bearded men who said they were headed to a photo shoot to raise money for breast cancer research Wednesday evening.
The problem was the men were wearing camo and witnesses said one had a rifle.
According to spokesman Robert King, police received a report that a man on the bridge had an assault rifle. Officers shut down the bridge just after 7:30 p.m. while they investigated.
Police released a 9-1-1 call from a concerned person who first reported the men with the gun and camo gear.
"I saw two guys, white guys, with beards come out of a car with an assault rifle," the caller told the 9-1-1 dispatcher. | Click the "play" button next to "listen" to hear the 9-1-1 call
Police soon found the bearded men, many of whom wore military style uniforms. One of the men had an assault rifle, King said. They were taken to the Central Precinct.
It's unclear if the assault rifle was loaded.
Several of the men told KATU News they were on their way to take a photo under the "Portland, Oregon" sign near the Burnside Bridge to raise money for breast cancer research. The men said the photo was going to be part of a Beards for Breasts calendar.
"It's from Seattle," said Jedediah Aacker. "This girl, Sugar June, does it. She puts together a calendar for all the beard clubs around the nation. Beards for breasts."
Someone called police when they saw one of the men holding a rifle on the bridge.
"We were wearing camo gear and stuff walking up to do the shoot and sure enough police show up, boom, arrested us," said Aacker. "We were just a bunch of dudes walking across the bridge wearing camo getting rad."
King said two of the men were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct for handling the rifle.
On Thursday, police sent out pictures of the gear they seized from the men. It included a military vest, bandolier, rifle, helmet and other camo gear.
The men told KATU there were 10 of them. Police said 13 were detained.
The bridge was opened at around 8:15.
"We didn't mean to shake up the community or shut down the Burnside Bridge," said Matthew Jenkins. "Just trying to save boobs, you know?"
If Jedediah Aaker looks familiar, it's because he's in a video for a certain TV show that parodies eccentric Portlanders.
I seen a camoed out person driving a truck. I was so scared. I thought that 2000 lbs plus vehical was going to hit me. Stupid people. Was there ammo in the gun. Most likely not. Is it a crime to wear camo. It must be. If you are going to do a crime you do not have to be wearing camo. The next time those guys go walking around with a gun put that thing in a guitar case. Then the wimps of this world would not have to be so scared. I am more nervous of getting behind the wheel then a person holding a gun. There are more vehical accidents then gun miss haps. Unless it it the dumb gang banger wimps. Who only no how to use guns.
Fear is perhaps the strongest human emotion. Â It can overide common sense big time. Fear is much bigger post 9/11. Â Relax enjoy the summer.
Um... On what freakin grounds did they CONFISCATE their property?! Either something is left out of the story, or PPD is seriously messed up. >:(
These fools didn't think they would alarm anyone?  A group of guys in camo, military vest, helmet, and bandolier, and brandishing an assault rifle, walking across a busy bridge?  Yes, they needed to be stopped and investigated.  This isn't Somalia (though we have more civilian shootings here than Somalia!  http://newtrajectory.blogspot.com/2012/06/you-are-more-likely-to-be-shot-to-death.html), and there have been too many mass shootings (more than one a month in the U.S. now) not to be vigilant.
@Baldr Odinson Could I suggest that you consider going to Somalia, try your "we need to take your guns away" thing there and then get back to us on how that worked out.
 @Baldr Odinson Carrying is not brandishing. Stop exaggerating.
on one side there is a lot of fear,on the other the rights of Americans.but detaining some one unlawfully thats just not right
People need to leave people alone. The false call complainers should be billed.
Try walking downtown Eugene with a rifle in your hand and see it you don't draw some attention pretty fast. Now John Day or Prairie City, or one of those towns a different story. Heck when I was a kid, we took our gun to school, checked it in with the teacher, and hunted squirrels on our way home from school. There was a 5cent bounty on gray diggers, and 4 of them bought a box of .22 shells. Oh, how times have changed.
Sounds like profiling to me. I am guessing the bearded dudes were no harm to the public.
It is now a crime to hold a rifle in public?
@hewhoo Holding a rifle don't think so, but come on walking around downtown Portland on a bridge? Thats not right!!
@8203432 How is it not right? We have every right to walk around with a gun. They didnt shoot anyone. Its not against the law (nor should it ever be) to carry a gun in plain sight in public. Too may people are just super sensitive about the subject. Talk about precrime...
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@Matt Fox He is being sarcastic.