BEND, Ore. – A Deschutes County jury on Thursday found 41-year-old Portland resident Samson Garner guilty of 26 felony counts, including attempted murder, assault, and attempted unlawful use of a weapon, for planning what prosecutors described as a foiled mass shooting in Central Oregon.
The unanimous verdict, delivered after just over two hours of deliberation, concluded a tense three-week trial that featured testimony from Garner’s ex-girlfriend, ex-wife, and Garner himself.
Troubling Emails Raise Alarms
The case against Garner centered around disturbing emails and text messages he sent in the fall of 2023. In one email to his ex-girlfriend, Penny Gneiting, Garner described suicidal thoughts and detailed visions of shooting belayers and spectators at major outdoor events, including the Smith Rock Craggin’ Classic climbing festival and the Mt. Hood Meadows ski resort opening day.
Although Garner told the court he intended the email as a suicide note, prosecutors argued it revealed specific planning consistent with a mass shooting attempt.
Arrest and Seizure of Weapons
On October 19, 2023, Garner was arrested at the Matson Trailhead, about 20 miles south of Smith Rock State Park, after completing a mountain bike ride. Deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office searched his vehicle and discovered an AR-15 rifle, two handguns, a tactical vest outfitted with ammunition, and extra magazines.
Prosecutors emphasized that these items, combined with his writings and travel to Central Oregon, amounted to substantial steps toward carrying out his threats.
Defense Argument: A Man in Crisis
Garner’s defense attorney, Joel Wirtz, argued his client was experiencing an alcohol-fueled depressive spiral following a bitter divorce and had no real intention of harming others. Garner himself testified that he drove into the mountains near Mount Hood with the intent to end his own life, only stopping when he thought of the impact it would have on his twin daughters.
“I wanted to get my life back on track and get out of this slump,” Garner told jurors, insisting that the violent writings were not a blueprint for action but a reflection of his mental state at the time.
The defense framed Garner’s October 2023 email as a plea for help, not a declaration of intent.
Prosecution: Actions Spoke Louder Than Words
Prosecutors Stacy Neil and Mary Anderson, Deschutes County’s chief deputy district attorney, urged jurors to focus on Garner’s actions in the two and a half weeks after sending the email.
Neil read the entire email aloud during closing arguments, calling it a chilling reminder of “the Samson Garner of 2023, not the curated version presented in court.” She pointed out that instead of seeking help or contacting his children, Garner continued drinking and made two trips to Central Oregon, carrying a “rapid-fire weapons system.”
Anderson added that Garner’s decision to transport weapons and ammunition demonstrated clear preparation, not mere fantasy. “He wasn’t regaining control,” Anderson said. “He was escalating.”
Testimony from Friends and Family
Witnesses also included Garner’s former friends, Ben Larson and Mike Raff, who received alarming text messages from him describing violent scenarios. Concerned, both men contacted police.
It was ultimately Gneiting, the ex-girlfriend, who forwarded Garner’s email to law enforcement, triggering active surveillance by the Portland Police Bureau.
For several days, Portland police monitored Garner’s movements, and when he left his home during the Smith Rock climbing event weekend, they alerted Deschutes County authorities. His arrest soon followed.
Bitter Divorce Played Role
Court testimony and documents shed light on Garner’s troubled personal life leading up to the incident. His marriage dissolved in 2023 amid accusations that he had confiscated his wife’s passport and identification before she traveled to Michigan with their daughters. When she returned, Garner had reportedly changed the locks on their Portland home.
The marriage ended shortly afterward, with his ex-wife and children relocating permanently to Michigan. Garner described the divorce as devastating and said it contributed to his emotional breakdown.
Verdict and Courtroom Reaction
On September 11, 2025, Judge Alison Emerson read aloud all 26 guilty verdicts in Deschutes County Circuit Court. Garner sat expressionless throughout the proceeding, showing no visible reaction as each count was entered into the record.
Defense attorney Wirtz stood silently beside his client, while prosecutors and victims’ advocates looked on. Afterward, Garner was led out of the courtroom in custody.
The verdict included convictions for:
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Attempted murder in the first degree
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Attempted assault
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Attempted unlawful use of a weapon
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Additional felony counts connected to weapons possession and preparation
Community Concerns
The case has rattled outdoor recreation communities in Oregon, particularly those tied to climbing and skiing events referenced in Garner’s writings. The Smith Rock Craggin’ Classic, a popular climbing festival, attracts large crowds of athletes and families each year.
Prosecutors noted that the presence of multiple loaded firearms in Garner’s car showed just how close the state came to a tragedy. “We may never know exactly what would have happened,” Neil told jurors, “but thanks to vigilant friends and quick police action, we do know what didn’t happen.”
Sentencing Scheduled
Garner will remain in custody until his sentencing hearing on October 2, 2025. He faces decades in prison given the severity of the convictions.
Legal analysts say the case underscores how early intervention and community reporting can prevent potential acts of mass violence. Both police and prosecutors credited Garner’s former friends and Gneiting for alerting authorities before it was too late.
Conclusion
The conviction of Samson Garner marks the end of a lengthy trial that balanced questions of mental health, personal despair, and public safety. While Garner insisted he never intended to harm others, the jury sided with prosecutors who argued his actions spoke louder than his words.
With his sentencing ahead, Garner’s case stands as both a cautionary tale about the dangers of untreated crises and a reminder of how vigilance can prevent tragedy.
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