Portland Art Museum briefly locked down on busy Sunday

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Portland Art Museum was briefly put on lockdown Sunday afternoon after an armed individual was seen in the North Park Blocks.

Ian Gillingham, a spokesperson for the museum, told KOIN 6 News the lockdown went into effect after police responded to the area on reports of a person carrying a rifle in a nearby parking lot.

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Dozens of people were inside looking at the new Paul McCartney photography exhibit which opened this weekend. At around 1:30 p.m., they were made aware of the lockdown and forced to stay inside.

“I’m discouraged that someone would be having a gun around downtown Portland, but encouraged by the museum and their efficiency in getting us into a safe place,” said museum visitor Denies Weston. “And they said you’re safe where you are, but we want to keep you inside so you’re safe. So that was good.”

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The museum lifted the lockdown at 2 p.m. after receiving an alert that the incident was “resolved by law enforcement.”

All museum employees and visitors were confirmed safe.

Officials have not yet confirmed the reports of the armed individual.

KOIN 6 News has reached out to Portland police for further comment.

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