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- calendar_today October 12, 2026
Family Sues City Over Portland Police Shooting
The family of Nicolas Thorn, a man shot and killed by Portland police in October 2024, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city. The complaint alleges that Thorn was unarmed and intoxicated at the time of the incident, and accuses officers of violating his Fourth Amendment rights.
Incident Background: October 2024 Shooting
According to the lawsuit, filed on October 2 in U.S. District Court in the District of Oregon, Thorn's father claims police shot his 28-year-old son without justifiable cause. The Portland Police Bureau initially reported that a neighbor called police, claiming Thorn was allegedly waving a rifle and making threats. It was later determined that the rifle was in fact a pellet gun, and that Thorn also had a knife in his possession.
Details From the Lawsuit Filing
The lawsuit asserts that, upon arriving at Thorn's apartment, police did not witness any active argument or disturbance. Officers reportedly knocked on Thorn’s door and shone a light through his window, observing that he was naked and asleep. When police knocked again, Thorn got up and dressed, according to the complaint. An officer then went back downstairs and reported seeing a gun inside the apartment, though he could not confirm whether or not it was real.
Allegations of Fourth Amendment Violation
Central to the lawsuit are claims that police killed Nicolas Thorn without reason to believe he posed an immediate threat, asserting a violation of his Fourth Amendment rights. The complaint seeks accountability from law enforcement regarding their use of force and the handling of the incident.
Initial Police Reports and Subsequent Information
The Portland Police Bureau originally responded to a report that Thorn was brandishing a rifle and making threats. However, after the incident, authorities confirmed the weapon was a pellet gun, not a real firearm. It was also established that Thorn was drunk at the time. The wrongful death lawsuit challenges the police response and the decision to use deadly force.
Ongoing Calls for Police Accountability
The lawsuit by Thorn's family brings renewed attention to police accountability and procedures related to use of force, particularly in cases where the subject is not armed with a lethal weapon. No further details have been released regarding the ongoing police investigation for this specific incident.
Source: koin.com.
