Former Employee Suspected in Multnomah Athletic Club Attack; Mental Health History Cited

Portland's Multnomah Athletic Club (MAC) is closed for at least a week following an incident early Saturday morning when a man drove a vehicle containing explosives through the front of the clubhouse.

According to a source familiar with the investigation, authorities suspect the driver was a former MAC employee who was reportedly disgruntled and had a history of mental health issues.

The driver crashed through the glass windows of the 135-year-old, eight-story building just before 3 a.m. and attempted to detonate multiple explosive devices inside. Portland Police Commander James Crooker stated, "There was an intent to detonate a number of explosive devices that just didn't go off."

By the time law enforcement arrived, the driver was deceased inside the vehicle. The Oregonian/OregonLive identified the suspected driver based on unnamed police sources; however, OPB has not independently confirmed the identity.

Neighbors of the individual identified by The Oregonian reported that he had exhibited signs of mental health struggles following a motorcycle accident several years ago. One neighbor described his behavior as becoming "extremely paranoid and delusional and aggressive."

Another neighbor, Fern Capella Allen, who lived next door to the man for five years, noted, "I think that he was a really beautiful person that was suffering badly." She added that he believed the MAC staff had wronged him, leading to a mental decline.

The attack caused significant damage to the club's interior, including water damage from firefighting efforts and burn marks from devices that were ignited. The Portland Police Bureau's bomb squad, along with federal agencies, worked to secure the scene, encountering multiple improvised explosive devices. Officer Jim DeFrain, supervisor of the explosive disposal unit, described the scene as the most complex he had encountered in 13 years as a bomb technician.

Despite the scale of the incident, Police Chief Bob Day stated that the attack was not connected to terrorism.

The MAC, which houses multiple restaurants, swimming pools, ballrooms, and meeting rooms, regularly hosts sporting events and community gatherings. All activities are on hold until the clubhouse reopens. MAC staff expressed confidence in the community's resilience, stating, "We've faced challenging moments before, and each time, this community has come together and found a way forward."