Climber Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Plotting Smith Rock Mass Shooting

Samson Garner, a 41-year-old climber from Portland, Oregon, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for his attempted mass shooting in Smith Rock State Park in October 2023. In September 2025, Garner was found guilty of 26 felony charges, including attempted murder.

The Portland Police were originally tipped off about the planned attack by two people close to Garner, who heard him express intent of harming climbers somewhere in Deschutes County. The Portland Police Bureau worked with Deschutes County detectives to gather evidence as to where Garner might attack.

The American Alpine Club, whose annual Craggin’ Classic event was scheduled for that weekend, was informed of the possible attack midweek. According to OPB, Garner was arrested on October 19, 2023, at a trailhead following a mountain bike ride. Authorities found Beretta and Sig Sauer 9-milimeter handguns, an AR-15 rifle, ammunition, and a tactical vest in Garner’s vehicle. Authorities believe Garner was working alone, so the Craggin’ Classic proceeded as planned, without incident, hosting nearly 400 climbers who gathered for clinics and festivities at Smith Rock.

• Related: Chris Kalman’s haunting essay “The Place Where Murder and Climbing Meet”

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