Suspect in St. Johns dispensary robbery turned double-murder appears in court

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A man accused of shooting and killing two young men during a dispensary robbery in North Portland appeared in court Thursday.

Portland police say 34-year-old Jason Steiner turned himself in on Wednesday and is now facing two counts of second-degree murder.

A plea of not guilty was entered on Steiner's behalf, as he appeared nervous, barely lifting his eyes in court. The family of the men killed were also present. 

With a third robbery suspect still on the loose and Steiner's criminal history emerging, there are lots of lingering questions.

Steiner's arraignment comes one week after investigators say he shot and killed 18-year-old King Lawrence and 20-year-old Tahir Burley during a botched armed robbery last Thursday at the La Mota in the St. Johns neighborhood.

The doors of the dispensary remain closed, as a vigil with flowers, candles and balloons now grows across the street.

Neighbors in the area say the dispensary was a hotspot for crime, with workers on high alert.

"They're aware and ready for danger," Caroline Rose told KOIN 6 News a day after the shooting. "And then when it happens, you know, they have a really strong reaction. And I would assume they were really scared."

"It's a lot of cash on hand for a business like that," noted Randy Belston. "I mean, it's just a little tiny building kind of tucked away and so I think it's just an easy target."

The deadly robbery last Thursday is one of at least five reported at the St. Johns location in the last four years, according to state data. The OLCC shows there have been nearly 400 robberies reported at licensed dispensaries in Multnomah County during that same period.  

The issue of safety at weed shops is now on the ballot, as Measure 119 pushes for greater protections for cannabis workers. 

Still, some neighbors living next to the St. Johns La Mota believe management should do more. 

One neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, described to KOIN 6 how he heard the shots and saw Steiner the night of the shooting, "I really feel for that guy, he was very torn up last night. I hope he's able to get away with self-defense on this."

But this is not Steiner's first run-in with the law while working at a dispensary. Multnomah County court records reveal he was convicted on charges including reckless endangering and unlawful use of a weapon for a double hit and run back in 2021, where he struck the unmarked car of a sheriff's deputy.

Documents show leading up to that, investigators learned Steiner, "...had been fired from NW Compassion Recreational Cannabis/Marijuana Dispensary," and "intentionally backed into a maroon pickup truck owned by [his firing supervisor]."

Based on court records, Steiner then, "laughed and accelerated in the direction of [a witness] who was forced to jump out of the way."

When KOIN 6 asked police if a weapon was found on Lawrence or Burley after the shooting, they declined to comment due to the ongoing investigation.

According to Steiner's attorney, they will file a motion for self defense.

He is expected back in court on Oct. 18th.