Gunfire Erupts As Proud Boys and Antifa Clashes in Oregon Turn Violent

Shots rang out in downtown Portland, Oregon, as Proud Boys members and Antifa protesters clashed in a brutal stand-off that brought chaos to the city.

Portland police arrested a man, later identified as 65-year-old Dennis G. Anderson, on Sunday afternoon after he allegedly opened fire with a handgun.

Footage filmed close to Southwest 3rd Avenue and Southwest Alder Street, where Anderson was arrested, showed a man firing a handgun from behind a garbage can and also appearing to dodge gunfire.

Other videos taken nearby show the man lying face down on the sidewalk as several officers arrest him.

The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) later said in a report released on Sunday that a man had been charged for firing a gun in the downtown area of the city.

It added: "On Sunday, August 22, 2021, at 5:47 p.m., Central Precinct officers responded to a report of shots heard in the area of Southwest 2nd Avenue and Southwest Yamhill Street. Officers learned of a suspect firing a gun, a description, and a direction of travel.

"Three minutes later they located a suspect at Southwest 3rd Avenue and Southwest Alder Street. He was arrested and a gun was seized as evidence. Officers booked Dennis G. Anderson, 65, of Gresham, into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon."

The statement continued: "No one reported injuries. There were numerous people in the area, including several people taking video and photographs. There are reports that witnesses may have removed evidence from the scene before police arrived."

Newsweek has contacted the PPB for comment.

Anderson's arrest underlined the violence that gripped parts of Portland on Sunday with antifa protesters clashing with Proud Boys.

Clashes began after the Proud Boys as hundreds of antifa arrived at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park where they protested the right-wing gathering, according to Oregon Live.

Some antifascist protesters broke away in the afternoon in order to crash the Proud Boys "Summer of Love" event, prompting verbal arguments before an ensuing physical street brawl.

In a video shared by journalist Tayler Hansen, Proud Boys members could be seen attacking a person wearing block clothes while another person dressed in black sprayed the group with an unknown substance.

The PPB later added: "By 1:30 p.m., a group of people had gathered in a parking lot at Northeast 122nd Avenue and Northeast Sandy Boulevard. At about 4 p.m., a small number of people came together and committed acts of violence and destruction at the Northeast Portland location.

"People were lighting fireworks and dispersing chemical spray, as well as firing what appeared to be paintball and/ or airsoft guns. Some property destruction was observed. Most of the involved individuals have left the area."

It added no one at the time had been arrested but that "does not mean that people are not being charged with crimes later."

Proud Boys and antifascists have clashed multiple times in Portland where repeated violence spilling out into the streets.

The far-right group has staged several rallies in Portland, many of which ended with brawls between its members and counter-demonstrators.