Multnomah County, Ore. – The Parkrose School Superintendent says video of a coach disarming a student who brought a gun to school should not have been released to the media and general public. The video of Keanon Lowe, who’s also a security guard, has drawn nationwide praise for the compassion shown by Lowe last May. The Multnomah County D.A.’s office decided to release the video to local media, which the Superintendent said was a violation of student rights under federal law.

We want to know what you think. Should the video have been released to the media and public? Tell us what you think on our KXL Facebook Page.

 

Watch the video here:

 

Read previous story:

Newly released video from the District Attorney’s Office shows Parkrose High School security guard and football coach Keanon Lowe disarming a student who had brought a loaded shotgun to school. This happened back in May. The video shows Lowe backing out of a room holding a shotgun in one hand and holding onto the student, Angel Diaz, with the other hand. After a teacher grabbed the gun away from Lowe, he and Diaz hugged. Prosecutors say Diaz, who’s now 19, never pointed the gun at anyone except himself. He pleaded guilty earlier this month, and received three years probation. He’s also been ordered to get mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Read More from Multnomah Co. District Attorney’s Office

Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that as part of a carefully negotiated pretrial resolution, 19-year-old Angel Granados-Diaz pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in a public building and one count of unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in public after he brought a shotgun – with only one round in it – to Parkrose High School during a mental health crisis.

The court approved the pretrial resolution and sentenced Mr. Granados-Diaz to 36 months of formal probation. As part of his probation, Mr. Granados-Diaz will receive immediate mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Mr. Granados-Diaz never fired the gun while on campus nor did he ever intentionally point the firearm at anyone but himself.

“Through the course of the investigation it became clear to law enforcement and our office that Mr. Granados-Diaz did not have the intent to hurt anyone other than himself while at Parkrose High School,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Parakram Singh, who litigated this case. “The purpose of this resolution is two-fold: it ensures Mr. Granados-Diaz receives mental health treatment to address his suicidal ideations and it ensures a level of accountability for taking a loaded firearm into a school. This sentence is appropriate as it affords ongoing supervision and safeguards and simultaneously affords Mr. Granados-Diaz with an opportunity to move past this incident so that he can continue to heal.”

This investigation started on May 17, 2019 at 11:48 a.m. when Portland Police and other local, state and federal law enforcement responded to Parkrose High School, located at 12003 Northeast Shaver Street on reports of a disturbance involving a gun. As officers arrived, they learned that a school employee, later identified as Keanon Lowe, had Mr. Granados-Diaz detained and had secured the shotgun in a separate location. Officers arrested Mr. Granados-Diaz and transported him off campus. Mr. Granados-Diaz immediately told law enforcement that he did not intend to harm anyone else other than himself.

Law enforcement located the shotgun and confirmed it was loaded with only one round.

During this investigation, law enforcement learned that prior to Mr. Granados-Diaz accessing the firearm on campus, he made suicidal statements to another person. That student reported those concerning statements to school administration. In response, Mr. Lowe was sent to locate Mr. Granados-Diaz and to bring him to the office.

As Mr. Lowe responded to Mr. Granados-Diaz’s classroom, he was unaware that Mr. Granados-Diaz was inside a nearby bathroom with the firearm.

Almost immediately after Mr. Lowe entered the classroom, Mr. Granados-Diaz exited the bathroom, visibly upset holding the shotgun. Mr. Granados-Diaz then turned the firearm at himself and tried unsuccessfully to discharge the shotgun. When the firearm failed to discharge, Mr. Lowe was able to separate it from Mr. Granados-Diaz as students fled the classroom.

During the investigation, law enforcement learned Mr. Granados-Diaz legally purchased the shotgun, and that he brought the shotgun to school in a garment bag.

Furthermore, law enforcement learned that Mr. Granados-Diaz had been suicidal for several months prior to this incident.

As part of the plea agreement, Mr. Granados-Diaz stipulated that any firearm seized as part of this investigation shall be confiscated and destroyed.

The following other conditions were imposed by the court:

  • Mr. Granados-Diaz must complete 64 hours of community service within one year unless otherwise directed the probation department if Mr. Granados-Diaz is enrolled in school
  • While on probation, Mr. Granados-Diaz must comply with all orders and directive of his probation officer
  • While on probation, he is not be allowed to enter, or remain at, Parkrose School High School
  • While on probation, he is not allowed to have contact with any students from his class without prior approval from his probation officer
  • While on probation, Mr. Granados-Diaz must participate in safety planning with his probation officer before attending any future educational institution
  • While on probation, Mr. Granados-Diaz must agree to GPS monitoring at the discretion of his probation officer
  • While on probation, he is not allowed to be in possession of any firearm whether it is real or simulated.

Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill wants to remind community members that there is hope and there are many individuals in our community who are compassionate and who are willing to listen and to help.

RESOURCES:

  • Multnomah County’s Mental Health Crisis Line | 503-988-4888.
  • Lines for Life, a non-profit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide, has a 24/7 crisis line at 1-800-273-8255
  • The National Institute of Mental Health has a “Frequently Asked Questions” section about suicide on its website
  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-237-TALK.
  • The National Crisis Text Line is available by texting the word “HOME” to 741741.

If you have information that suggests a person in crisis may harm themselves or someone else, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Recently Played

Where It EndsBailey Zimmerman
3:50am
HighwayShaboozey
3:47am
I Am Not OkayJelly Roll
3:38am
Lies, Lies, LiesMorgan Wallen
3:35am
High RoadKoe Wetzel Ft Jess Murph
3:32am