Portland Resident Accused of Throwing Rocks at Federal Officers Protecting Federal Property

PORTLAND, Ore. – Christian Burke, 23, of Portland, Oregon, made an initial appearance today in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman.

The court arraigned Burke on a 1-count information alleging misdemeanor assault on a federal officer. On the afternoon of August 22, 2020 Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Services (FPS) Officers were assigned to protect federal property located at the Edith Green – Wendell Wyatt (EGWW) Federal Office Building during protests and demonstrations taking place downtown.  

On that date, a protest group was marching south down 3rd avenue in front of the EGWW entrance. There also was a counter-protest group engaging the protest group.  During this engagement, multiple objects were being thrown by individuals in the counter-protest group in the direction of the other protest group and federal law enforcement officers. One of the FPS agents was observing the protest and counter protest activity from federal property when the agent saw a large rock thrown directly towards him coming from the crowd. The rock struck a tree near the agent. Another officer described a person later identified as Burke as the one who threw the rock. That observation was confirmed with video evidence.

Burke was released pending trial scheduled for December 8, 2020 before U.S. District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman.

This case was investigated by Federal Protective Services and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Parakram Singh. An information is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.