BEND, Ore. — A Deschutes County jury has found 41-year-old Samson Garner guilty of plotting a mass shooting at Smith Rock State Park’s Craggin’ Classic climbing festival in 2023, Central Oregon Daily News reported. The unanimous verdict, delivered Thursday, convicted Garner on 26 felony counts, including attempted murder, attempted assault, and unlawful use of a weapon. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 2.
Prosecutors said Garner envisioned killing climbers, belayers, and spectators during the event. Court documents revealed potential victims were listed only as “Belayer 1,” “Belayer 2,” “Spectator 1,” and “Spectator 2.” The conviction followed a three-week trial in which jurors heard from Garner’s ex-girlfriend, his ex-wife, detectives, and Garner himself. The jury deliberated for just over two hours before reaching its decision.
Garner’s arrest came on Oct. 19, 2023, at the Matson trailhead about 20 miles south of Smith Rock. Deputies found an AR-15 rifle, two handguns, body armor, and ammunition in his vehicle. Prosecutors argued these weapons, including green tip rounds capable of piercing vests, showed he was taking concrete steps toward carrying out the plan.
The trial revealed disturbing details leading up to the arrest. Garner had emailed his ex-girlfriend, Penny Gneiting, claiming he would kill himself before hurting anyone else, but also described vivid visions of mass killings at Mt. Hood Meadows on opening day and at the Craggin’ Classic. Gneiting forwarded the email to police, while other friends who received violent text messages also alerted authorities. Portland police began surveilling him and notified Deschutes County deputies when he traveled for the festival.
During testimony, Garner described himself as a climbing enthusiast and admitted to knowing about the event. He also said he had struggled after a bitter divorce and heavy drinking, claiming he wanted to regain control of his life. He testified that he once drove to Mount Hood intending to end his life but changed his mind because of his twin daughters. He told the jury that returning to mountain biking and target shooting was his way of confronting personal struggles.
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Prosecutors argued his actions didn’t align with that explanation, pointing to his continued drinking, isolation, and threats made less than a month before his arrest. They highlighted that Garner did not reconnect with family or look for work, instead spending his time mountain biking and acquiring weapons.
Garner sat without reaction as Judge Alison Emerson read the guilty verdicts. After the convictions were entered, he was led out of the courtroom.
