A Deschutes County jury has convicted 41-year-old Samson Garner on 26 charges, including attempted murder, assault, and attempted unlawful use of a weapon, following a thwarted mass shooting plot. The verdict was delivered after a three-week trial, during which jurors heard testimonies from Garner’s ex-girlfriend, ex-wife, and Garner himself. The jury deliberated for just over two hours before reaching its decision. Garner remained stoic as Judge Alison Emerson read the verdicts, and he was subsequently escorted out of the courtroom. Sentencing is set for October 2.
The case revolved around a series of alarming incidents leading up to Garner’s arrest on October 19, 2023. Prior to his arrest, he had sent a concerning email to his ex-girlfriend, Penny Gneiting, expressing intentions to take his own life before causing harm to others. In the email, he detailed his disturbing visions of committing mass killings at Mount Hood Meadows resort during the ski season’s opening day and at the Smith Rock Craggin Classic event.
Garner testified that he had driven to the mountains near Mount Hood in 2023 with the intent to end his life but backed out, fearing the impact it would have on his twin daughters. He claimed he was trying to “get my life back on track” following a period of depression exacerbated by alcohol and a difficult divorce. On the day of his arrest, deputies from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office discovered an AR-15, two handguns, ammunition, and a tactical vest equipped with bullets in Garner’s vehicle after he completed a mountain bike ride near Smith Rock State Park.
During the trial, Garner admitted to writing the email detailing his violent visions but claimed it was a suicide note rather than a declaration of intent to commit a mass shooting. Prosecutors contended that his subsequent actions, including continued alcohol use and lack of communication with friends or family, demonstrated a clear intent to carry out his plans.
Prosecutor Stacy Neil emphasized the gravity of Garner’s intentions during closing arguments, reading the full content of his email to illustrate his mindset at the time. Neil and Deschutes County Chief Deputy District Attorney Mary Anderson argued that Garner had taken significant steps toward executing a mass shooting, highlighting the presence of rapid-fire weaponry among his possessions.
Garner’s troubling behavior prompted a police investigation, initiated after friends reported disturbing communications he had sent. Following surveillance, the Portland Police Bureau alerted Deschutes County deputies, leading to his arrest shortly after he left his home during the climbing event weekend.
Statements from Garner during the trial revealed that his actions were influenced by a tumultuous divorce, during which he had taken his ex-wife’s passport and identification before she traveled to Michigan with their daughters. The couple ultimately relocated permanently to Michigan after the divorce proceedings.
