Samson Garner found guilty on all counts mere hours after closing arguments concluded in trial for attempted mass shooting at Smith Rock
Claire Elmer
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On late Thursday afternoon at the Deschutes County Courthouse, the jury announced they had reached a unanimous verdict in the trial of Samson Garner after less than 3 hours of deliberation.
Garner is the man at the center of the attempted mass shooting at Smith Rock State Park’s Craggin’ Classic event in October 2023.
Just before 5 p.m., the judge read the jurors’ decision — Garner was found guilty on all 26 counts.
As the charges and verdicts were read aloud by the judge, Garner remained visibly emotionless and silent. He remained stoic as his sentencing date was set for October 2nd.
Earlier in the day, the state and defense team presented their closing arguments.
The prosecution began by reading Garner’s email to his ex-girlfriend in its entirety to the jury, in which Garner wrote about his mental health struggles, violent thoughts, and suicidal desires. It also included what the state called ‘homicidal fantasies’, detailing Garner’s thoughts of causing others pain and shooting spectators as their loved ones watched while helpless.
The state outlined the timeline of events in Garner’s life starting in 2022, when they allege he started to spiral into a dark, violent mindset. They highlighted how those closest to Garner became concerned about his well-being — and the safety of themselves and others — after receiving threatening messages from him.
Garner’s messages included regrets of not cutting his friend’s head off, threats of cutting off his ex-wife’s fingers and shooting up her family’s Christmas party, and other graphic violent ideologies.
The defense argued a “moron versus genius” theory, claiming Garner’s behavior would classify him as a moron if the mass shooting was actually his intent. They referenced Garner’s phone being on and showing his location, how he was found in flip-flops and drinking a beer when he was arrested, and was camping 20 miles from Smith Rock.
Garner testified he was only in Central Oregon to recreate and target shoot to help his mental health. He claimed he was extremely depressed and having intrusive thoughts that scared him, which is what he claimed he wrote about, not actual intentions.
Garner said he regretted the threatening texts — but claimed he had a dark sense of humor and was black-out drunk when he sent them.
In rebuttal, the prosecution argued Garner’s circumstances when arrested aligned with the actions Garner himself wrote of taking in regard to the Craggin’ Classic. They reminded the jury of the extensive tactical gear and firearm collection found in Garner’s possession when he was found in Central Oregon before concluding their argument.
The judge instructed jurors on their instructions before sending them into deliberation.
The approximate length of Garner’s eventual sentence is not yet known, though it’s expected to be lengthy due to the seriousness of the charges and number of counts. KTVZ will continue to follow the story and will provide an update once Garner is formally sentenced.