Navy Veteran Postal Employee Lost Life Breaking Up Fight

Man Killed By Armed PSU Officers Had Valid Concealed Carry Permit
OPB
by Ericka Cruz Guevarra
June 30, 2018

Washington was a Navy veteran and an employee with the United States Postal Service since 1998. He worked with the collections unit as a letter carrier at the main office in downtown Portland, where he also served as the union shop steward.

Keyaira Smith, who filmed the encounter, told OPB that Washington was "trying to be a good Samaritan."

Jason Erik Washington, the man killed by armed Portland State University officers early Friday morning, had a valid concealed carry permit at the time of his death.

Two of Washington’s colleagues and at least one witness say Washington, 45, was black.

Keyaira Smith, a witness who took video of the moments leading up to Washington’s death, told OPB that he was “trying to be a good Samaritan” by breaking up a fight.

Video footage shows what appears to be a black object attached to Washington’s right side as he’s seen pulling one man off another. Two PSU police officers can also be seen.

“The gun slipped out of the holster when he had fallen, and I think he may have tried to retrieve it,” Smith said. “Then they said ‘gun.’”

That’s when police fired, she said.
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