Campus Alert Archive
PCC

Trespassed man threatens to shoot a cafeteria worker; later cited on a firearm charge

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ORthreat of violencetimely warninghigh confidence
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Confirmed Threat

Portland Community College issued a safety alert after a previously trespassed individual refused to leave the Cascade Campus cafeteria and threatened to shoot a student cafeteria staff member. The suspect claimed to have a firearm but later denied it. Portland Police responded, searched the man, and found a gun with no ammunition. The suspect was re-issued a trespass notice and told to leave within 10 minutes. He remained on or near campus until approximately 7:00 p.m. PDT on March 10, 2026, four hours after the initial report. He was later cited for unlawful possession of a firearm.

Alerts
1
Response
—
Killed
—
Injured
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Institution
Portland Community College
Community College · OR
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~25,000 studentsPCC Alert
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Verified verbatimPCC Public Safety Timely Warnings913 chars
SAFETY ALERT - Cascade Campus This Safety Alert is notification of a Disorderly Conduct involving an individual threatening a student. REPORTED OFFENSE: Disorderly Conduct - Individual threatened another person. WHEN: March 10, 2026 - Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm WHERE: Portland Community College - Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue, Portland, OR 97217 DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT: Public Safety received a report of a previously trespassed individual refusing to leave the PCC Cascade campus cafeteria and behaving combatively. The suspect reportedly threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member and claimed to be carrying a firearm, though he later denied it. The subject left at approximately 7pm. It is believed to present a potential ongoing safety concern to the PCC community. For non-emergency questions regarding this Timely Warning, contact Clery@pcc.edu.
Published on PCC's official Public Safety timely warning page, confirming this is the exact text of the safety alert
PCC categorized the reported offense as 'Disorderly Conduct' even though the alert text describes a verbal threat to shoot a staff member
The alert was not issued until after the subject left at 7 p.m., meaning the campus community was not warned in real time during the four hours the suspect remained on campus
Provides a Clery compliance email address (Clery@pcc.edu) for follow-up, indicating this was filed as a formal Clery timely warning
PCC Cascade Campus is located at 5575 N Albina Avenue in North Portland
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

SAFETY ALERT - Cascade Campus This Safety Alert is notification of a Disorderly Conduct involving an individual threatening a student. REPORTED OFFENSE: Disorderly Conduct - Individual threatened another person. WHEN: March 10, 2026 - Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm WHERE: Portland Community College - Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue, Portland, OR 97217 DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT: Public Safety received a report of a previously trespassed individual refusing to leave the PCC Cascade campus cafeteria and behaving combatively. The suspect reportedly threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member and claimed to be carrying a firearm, though he later denied it. The subject left at approximately 7pm. It is believed to present a potential ongoing safety concern to the PCC community. For non-emergency questions regarding this Timely Warning, contact Clery@pcc.edu.

  • Sourcepresent22/25

    Final assessment

    Strong majority finds the source present; the SAFETY ALERT brand plus Public Safety identify the issuer, though a few reads saw only a generic label with no university name.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: The branded "SAFETY ALERT" plus "Public Safety" identify the issuing source.
    2. present: Branded "SAFETY ALERT" and named "Public Safety" identify the source.
    3. absent: Header "SAFETY ALERT - Cascade Campus" names a campus but no sender, agency, or brand.
    4. present: Branded "SAFETY ALERT" and names "Public Safety", identifying the source.
    5. absent: "SAFETY ALERT" is a generic label; no university name or named agency appears.
    6. present: "SAFETY ALERT" plus "Public Safety" identify the issuing authority (PCC).
    7. present: Branded "SAFETY ALERT" and names "Public Safety" as the issuer.
    8. present: It is a "SAFETY ALERT" naming "Public Safety" and "Clery@pcc.edu", identifying the source.
    9. present: Branded "SAFETY ALERT" and "Public Safety" identify the sender.
    10. present: Branded "SAFETY ALERT" plus "Public Safety", identifying the sender.
    11. present: Opens with branded tag "SAFETY ALERT" and references "Public Safety" and Clery contact.
    12. present: Branded "SAFETY ALERT" and names "Public Safety", the source.
    13. present: Names "Public Safety" and a "Clery@pcc.edu" contact, identifying the issuing authority.
    14. present: It identifies the sender via "SAFETY ALERT" and "Public Safety" with "Clery@pcc.edu."
    15. present: Branded "SAFETY ALERT" and names "Public Safety", identifying the sender.
    16. present: Names "Public Safety" and uses "SAFETY ALERT - Cascade Campus", identifying the sender.
    17. present: Names "Public Safety" and references "Clery@pcc.edu" as the issuing authority.
    18. present: Names "Portland Community College" and "Public Safety", the sender.
    19. present: Branded "SAFETY ALERT" and names "Public Safety".
    20. present: Opens with "SAFETY ALERT" and names "Public Safety" and Clery contact, identifying sender and authority.
    21. present: The "SAFETY ALERT" with "Public Safety" and "Cascade Campus" identifies the sender.
    22. absent: Header "SAFETY ALERT" and "Public Safety" appear, but Public Safety as the receiving office identifies the issuer.
    23. present: Branded "SAFETY ALERT" plus "Public Safety" identify the sender and authority.
    24. present: Names "Public Safety" and "Clery@pcc.edu" of Portland Community College, the sender.
    25. present: Branded "SAFETY ALERT" and names "Public Safety" via the Clery contact.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous that the hazard is present; a subject threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member and claimed a firearm, a specific threat.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: States the hazard: "Disorderly Conduct" and a threat "to shoot a cafeteria staff member."
    2. present: Names the hazard, a subject who "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member" and claimed a firearm.
    3. present: Names "Disorderly Conduct" and a threat "to shoot a cafeteria staff member", a specific threat.
    4. present: Names a specific threat, a man who "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member" and claimed a firearm.
    5. present: Names a specific threat: "Disorderly Conduct" where a person "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member."
    6. present: It names a suspect who "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member" and claimed a firearm, a specific threat.
    7. present: Names a suspect who "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member" with a claimed firearm.
    8. present: It names "Disorderly Conduct" where the suspect "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member", a specific threat.
    9. present: Names a specific threat: an individual who "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member".
    10. present: Names a man who "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member" claiming a firearm, a specific threat.
    11. present: Names a specific threat, "Disorderly Conduct" where a suspect "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member".
    12. present: Names a man who "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member" and claimed a firearm.
    13. present: Names "Disorderly Conduct" where a subject "threatened to shoot" a staff member, a specific threat.
    14. present: It names a specific threat, "Disorderly Conduct" where the suspect "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member."
    15. present: Names a man who "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member" and claimed a firearm, a specific hazard.
    16. present: Names a specific threat: the suspect "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member".
    17. present: Names "Disorderly Conduct" with a threat to "shoot a cafeteria staff member", a specific threat.
    18. present: Names a suspect who "threatened to shoot" and "claimed to be carrying a firearm", a specific threat.
    19. present: Names "Disorderly Conduct" and a threat "to shoot a cafeteria staff member".
    20. present: Names a specific threat, "Disorderly Conduct" where the suspect "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member".
    21. present: It names "Disorderly Conduct" with a threat "to shoot a cafeteria staff member".
    22. present: Names "Disorderly Conduct" with a threat to shoot and claimed firearm, a specific threat.
    23. present: Names a specific threat: "Disorderly Conduct" where the suspect "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member".
    24. present: Names "Disorderly Conduct" where the subject "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member", a specific threat.
    25. present: Names a specific threat, a man who "threatened to shoot a cafeteria staff member" and "claimed to be carrying a firearm".
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All reads agree a specific location is given, the Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria at 5575 N Albina Avenue.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Gives location "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue."
    2. present: Locates it at "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue".
    3. present: Locates it at "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue", a specific place.
    4. present: Gives the location, "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue".
    5. present: States the location: "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue."
    6. present: It locates it at "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue", a specific address.
    7. present: Locates it at "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue".
    8. present: It locates it at "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue", a specific place.
    9. present: Locates it at "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue".
    10. present: Specifies "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue".
    11. present: Specifies "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue".
    12. present: Locates it at "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue".
    13. present: Says it is at the "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue", a specific place.
    14. present: It locates it "Portland Community College - Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue."
    15. present: Locates it at "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue", a specific place.
    16. present: Specifies "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue".
    17. present: Specifies "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue".
    18. present: Specifies "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue", a location.
    19. present: Says "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue".
    20. present: States the location, "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue".
    21. present: It locates it at the "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue".
    22. present: Says it is at "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue", a specific address.
    23. present: Specifies "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue".
    24. present: Says "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue", a specific place.
    25. present: Locates it at "Cascade Campus Student Union Cafeteria, 5575 N Albina Avenue".
  • Guidanceabsent10/25

    Final assessment

    Majority finds guidance absent; the alert only offers a non-emergency Clery contact email and directs no protective action, though some reads counted that contact as an instruction.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Instructs recipients: "contact Clery@pcc.edu" for non-emergency questions.
    2. absent: No protective action is directed to recipients; only a non-emergency contact is given.
    3. absent: No protective action is instructed; only a non-emergency contact email is given.
    4. absent: Gives a contact email for non-emergency questions but no protective action to recipients.
    5. absent: Describes the incident but gives recipients no protective action, only a Clery contact email.
    6. present: It instructs to contact Clery for non-emergency questions, a reporting action.
    7. absent: Provides contact for non-emergency questions but no protective instruction.
    8. absent: It is a notification with information but gives no protective instruction to recipients.
    9. absent: Provides only a contact email for questions; no protective action instruction.
    10. present: Instructs recipients to "contact Clery@pcc.edu" for questions.
    11. present: Instructs recipients, "For non-emergency questions regarding this Timely Warning, contact Clery@pcc.edu."
    12. present: Instructs to "contact Clery@pcc.edu" for non-emergency questions.
    13. absent: Provides a contact for non-emergency questions but no protective action to recipients.
    14. present: It instructs, "For non-emergency questions regarding this Timely Warning, contact Clery@pcc.edu."
    15. present: Provides a contact instruction, "contact Clery@pcc.edu", for questions.
    16. absent: Provides contact info but gives no protective action to recipients.
    17. absent: Provides only a contact email, with no protective action directed to recipients.
    18. present: Provides a contact "Clery@pcc.edu" for questions, a recipient instruction.
    19. absent: Only gives a non-emergency contact email; no protective action instruction.
    20. present: Instructs recipients, "For non-emergency questions regarding this Timely Warning, contact Clery@pcc.edu", a directed action.
    21. absent: It gives only a non-emergency contact, no protective action instruction to recipients.
    22. absent: Gives only a non-emergency contact email; no protective action instruction to recipients.
    23. present: Instructs recipients: "contact Clery@pcc.edu" for questions.
    24. absent: Notes an ongoing concern but gives recipients no protective action instruction.
    25. absent: No protective action is instructed to recipients, only a contact for non-emergency questions.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All reads agree time is present; the alert gives the date March 10, 2026 and an initial call at approximately 3:00pm.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Conveys time "March 10, 2026... approximately 3:00pm."
    2. present: Gives a date and clock time, "March 10, 2026 - Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm".
    3. present: Gives "March 10, 2026 - Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm", a specific date and time.
    4. present: States "March 10, 2026" and "approximately 3:00pm", a date and clock time.
    5. present: Gives date and time "March 10, 2026, Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm."
    6. present: It gives a date and clock times, "March 10, 2026 - Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm".
    7. present: Says "March 10, 2026 - Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm".
    8. present: It gives "March 10, 2026 - Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm", a date and clock time.
    9. present: States "March 10, 2026" with the call "at approximately 3:00pm".
    10. present: Gives date and time "March 10, 2026 - Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm".
    11. present: States a clock time, "March 10, 2026" with the call "received at approximately 3:00pm".
    12. present: States "March 10, 2026, Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm", a clock time.
    13. present: States "WHEN: March 10, 2026 - Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm", a specific time.
    14. present: It gives a clock time and date, "March 10, 2026 - Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm."
    15. present: States "WHEN: March 10, 2026... approximately 3:00pm", conveying when.
    16. present: Gives "March 10, 2026 - Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm".
    17. present: Gives date and time, "March 10, 2026, Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm".
    18. present: Gives a date and clock times, "March 10, 2026" with calls "at approximately 3:00pm".
    19. present: Gives clock times and date, "March 10, 2026 - Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm".
    20. present: Gives recency, "March 10, 2026, Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm", a date and clock time.
    21. present: It gives a clock time and date, "March 10, 2026 - Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm".
    22. present: Gives the time "March 10, 2026, Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm".
    23. present: Gives the date and time "March 10, 2026, Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm".
    24. present: States "March 10, 2026 - Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm", a clock time.
    25. present: Gives a date and time, "March 10, 2026, Initial call received at approximately 3:00pm".
  • Impactpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimous. Describes a suspect who threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed a firearm, and flags an ongoing safety concern, conveying clear potential harm.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: States the suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to carry a firearm, presenting a potential ongoing safety concern.
    2. present: It states the suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to be carrying a firearm and presents a potential ongoing safety concern, a clear stated danger.
    3. present: It reports a suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to carry a firearm and presents a potential ongoing safety concern, conveying a clear threat of harm.
    4. present: It reports an individual threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to carry a firearm, presenting a potential ongoing safety concern, which conveys clear danger.
    5. present: Describes a subject who threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to carry a firearm, presenting a potential ongoing safety concern.
    6. present: Reports a suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to carry a firearm and notes a potential ongoing safety concern, conveying clear danger.
    7. present: Reports a suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to be armed, and states it is a potential ongoing safety concern.
    8. present: It states the suspect threatened to shoot a staff member, claimed to carry a firearm, and presents a potential ongoing safety concern, conveying clear danger.
    9. present: Reports a suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed a firearm and warns of a potential ongoing safety concern, stating clear danger.
    10. present: It reports a suspect who threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to carry a firearm and notes a potential ongoing safety concern, conveying clear potential harm.
    11. present: Reports a suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to be armed, presenting an ongoing safety concern, a clearly stated harm.
    12. present: It states the suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed a firearm and presents a potential ongoing safety concern, a clearly stated danger.
    13. present: States the suspect threatened to shoot a staff member, claimed to be carrying a firearm, and presents a potential ongoing safety concern, a clear stated harm.
    14. present: It states the individual threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to be armed, presenting an ongoing safety concern, a stated danger.
    15. present: The text states the suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to carry a firearm and presents a potential ongoing safety concern, conveying clear danger.
    16. present: States the suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to carry a firearm and notes an ongoing safety concern, conveying clear potential harm.
    17. present: It reports a suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to carry a firearm, presenting a stated ongoing safety concern.
    18. present: States the suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to carry a firearm and presents a potential ongoing safety concern, conveying harm.
    19. present: States the suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed a firearm and presents a potential ongoing safety concern, conveying potential harm.
    20. present: States the suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to be carrying a firearm and presents a potential ongoing safety concern, conveying danger.
    21. present: Reports a suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to carry a firearm and presents a potential ongoing safety concern, a clearly stated danger.
    22. present: Reports the suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to carry a firearm and presents a potential ongoing safety concern, a clear stated danger.
    23. present: It states the suspect threatened to shoot a staff member, claimed to be carrying a firearm, and presents a potential ongoing safety concern to the community.
    24. present: States the suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to carry a firearm and presents a potential ongoing safety concern.
    25. present: It reports a suspect threatened to shoot a staff member and claimed to be armed and notes an ongoing safety concern, a clearly stated danger.

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

Portland Community College is Oregon's largest post-secondary institution, serving approximately 25,000 students across four campuses and multiple centers in the Portland metropolitan area. The Cascade Campus in North Portland is one of PCC's busiest locations. This incident highlights several challenges specific to open-access community colleges. First, the suspect was previously trespassed but returned anyway, illustrating the difficulty of enforcing trespass orders at campuses that are designed to be open and welcoming to the community. Second, Portland Police searched the man and found a firearm (without ammunition) but did not confiscate it or arrest him on scene. Instead, he was re-issued a trespass notice and told to leave within 10 minutes. It was not until days later that a Behavioral Health Unit Response Team located the man and cited him for unlawful possession of a firearm. Third, the safety alert was not published until after the suspect had left campus at approximately 7 p.m., meaning the campus community received no real-time notification during the four hours the individual remained on or near campus after threatening to shoot someone. The incident occurred during a period of significant labor unrest at PCC, with faculty and staff beginning a strike the following day, March 11, 2026.
Analysis

Key Findings

The suspect was previously trespassed from PCC but returned, demonstrating the limited enforceability of trespass orders at open-access community college campuses
Portland Police found a firearm on the suspect but did not confiscate it or make an arrest on scene; the suspect was cited days later by a Behavioral Health Unit
The safety alert was not issued until after the suspect left campus at approximately 7 p.m., meaning the community had no real-time warning during the four hours the threat was active
The incident was classified as 'Disorderly Conduct' in the alert even though the described conduct included a verbal threat to shoot a staff member
Outcome
Portland Police Bureau's Behavioral Health Unit Response Team located the suspect days later and cited him for unlawful possession of a firearm. The gun found during the initial search had no ammunition. PCC re-issued a trespass notice. No injuries occurred.
Provenance

Sources

  1. Official
    Cascade Campus 3/10/2026 - Public Safety at PCC
    pcc.edu
    archived copy
  2. News
    Man charged after threatening to shoot student at PCC Cascade Campus, PPB says - KPTV
    kptv.com
    archived copy
  3. Official
    Safety alerts and timely warnings - PCC Public Safety
    pcc.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Portland Community College: Trespassed man threatens to shoot a cafeteria worker; later cited on a firearm charge." Incident of March 10, 2026. Added April 2026; last updated July 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/portland-community-college-threat-2026-03-10/

Download case JSON

Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
threat-of-violencetimely-warningcommunity-collegeopen-access-campustrespassfirearmdelayed-notificationwest-coastoregonbehavioral-health
Added April 2026Updated July 2026Via ingestion