Police officer cleared in 2024 fatal shooting in SE Portland

A Portland police officer was exonerated by a Multnomah County grand jury on Friday, ruling that the shooting death of an armed man last year was not a crime.

After seven years with the Police Bureau, Andrew Young received a not true bill from the grand jury, indicating that they believed his actions were acceptable.

Police in Portland’s Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood received a complaint last October regarding a guy brandishing a rifle who was shouting and threatening people inside an apartment complex in the 5200 block of Southeast Lambert Street.

According to police, Nicholas Thorn, 28, of Portland, was seen carrying what appeared to be a firearm when cops arrived at the apartment complex at 12:33 a.m.

After the officers withdrew to their cars, Thorn climbed onto the second-story balcony of the building and yelled at them while brandishing what was later determined to be a pellet air gun chambered in.22 caliber.

He threatened to shoot and murder the officers while pointing it at them.

According to body camera evidence, Thorn was being spoken to by a crisis intervention team officer when Young shot him with his official weapon.

Thorn was declared dead at the site after officers arrived, administered trauma first aid, and called paramedics.

For The Oregonian/OregonLive, Kimberly Cortez reports on breaking news, public safety, and other topics. Her email address is kcortez@oregonian.com.

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