PHOTOS: Masked Counter-Protester Arrested After Stopping, Shooting At ‘Free Palestine Rally and March’ in Eugene
Update: According to Lane County Jail records, the counter-protester who was arrested has been identified as Jonathan James Wisbey. Wisbey, age 51, was charged with 1st Degree Menacing, 2nd Degree Disorderly Conduct, and Bias Crime in the 1st Degree.
DSM has been made aware that this encounter did, in fact, lead to injury. We have been told that a protester was trampled-on and broke their leg as marchers jumped over construction barricades and ran for cover. They were reportedly in surgery and we are awaiting further updates on their condition.
On Oct. 21, over 200 community members came together for a “Free Palestine Rally and March” that started at the Federal Building. The march started about an hour later after a few speeches on the courthouse steps.
A half hour into the march, as the crowd walked south on Pearl Ave, a white GMC Sierra 2500 pickup truck sporting multiple right-wing flags—including the Gadsden—suddenly pulled into the intersection of E. 8th Ave. and Pearl St., blocking the march. As the march approached, a tire was a reportedly slashed, and the driver, wearing a Guy Fawkes-type mask, pulled a handgun as he exited the truck. He quickly turned to the rear and began firing several shots that sounded like compressed-air.
Two individuals within the march rushed to the front, drew their own handguns, and ordered the man to immediately drop his weapon and take off his mask to which he complied. After doing so, he took his mask off. As the two individuals kicked the now-unmasked man’s weapon away, Eugene police officers rushed-in with weapons drawn.
The two individuals were interviewed on the scene and the counter-protester was arrested with charges pending. In their press release, EPD said that the weapon was a “splatter ball gun.”
The masked counter-protester arrives at the front of the Free Palestine march at E 8th Ave. and Pearl St. on Oct. 21, 2023. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media] 
The masked counter-protester begins to pull his weapon and exit his truck after stopping the Free Palestine march at E 8th Ave. and Pearl St. on Oct. 21, 2023. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media] 
The masked counter-protester exits his truck and discharges his weapon after stopping the Free Palestine march at E 8th Ave. and Pearl St. on Oct. 21, 2023. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media] 
The masked counter-protester exits his truck after stopping the Free Palestine march at E 8th Ave. and Pearl St. on Oct. 21, 2023. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media] 
A man from within the Free Palestine protest draws his own weapon in defense during the Free Palestine march on Oct. 21, 2023. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media] 
The masked counter-protester begins to lay down his weapon after being confronted by armed individuals within the march at E 8th Ave. and Pearl St. on Oct. 21, 2023. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media] 
The masked counter-protester begins take off his Guy Fawkes-style mask after laying down his weapon. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media] 
The unmasked counter-protester holds his hands up after being confronted with armed individuals within the Free Palestine protest on Oct. 21, 2023. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media] 
One of the two individuals who confronted the counter-protester and defended the marchers lays on the ground while the now-unmasked counter-protester is arrested by Eugene police officers for shooting at a Free Palestine march on Oct. 21, 2023. [Robert Scherle // Double Sided Media] 
The other of the two defenders of the Free Palestine march looks on as the now-unmasked counter-protester is handcuffed by Eugene police officers for his attack on the Free Palestine march on Oct. 21, 2023.
Both of these individuals have been up to no good for a long time. They need to be in prison. Here is an article about them from 2018.
https://theava.com/archives/80497
Very scary. Thanks for the reporting. Powerful photographs.