Newly released video footage has captured the harrowing moment when a car, laden with explosives, crashed into the lobby of a Portland athletic club early Saturday morning, sparking a destructive blast. The explosion left the ground floor in shambles and resulted in the death of the driver, whom authorities identified as a ‘disgruntled former employee.’
The security footage reveals a dark SUV careening through the entrance of the Multnomah Athletic Club, smashing glass and mowing down turnstiles as it sped across the lobby. Although the explosion itself is not visible in the clips obtained by The Oregonian, they capture the unnerving moments leading up to the incident.
The chaos erupted just before 3 a.m. in Portland’s Goose Hollow neighborhood, according to law enforcement. The driver, whose identity has not been released, was discovered deceased within the wreckage following the detonation of the explosives.
The clips, which were obtained by The Oregonian, do not show the explosion itself but capture the disturbing seconds leading up to it.
Authorities say the chaos unfolded just before 3am in Portland’s Goose Hollow neighborhood.
The driver, who has not been publicly identified, was found dead inside the wreckage after detonating the explosives.
Investigators believe the suspect was a former employee of the club who deliberately targeted the facility.
Two law enforcement sources said the individual had rented a black Nissan Rogue the day before and used it to ram into the building before setting off the explosives.
Security video shows a dark SUV crashing through the front entrance of the Multnomah Athletic Club early on Saturday
The footage shows the vehicle smashing through glass windows and turnstiles as it enters the building’s lobby
Police shut down several blocks near the crash during the investigation. Caution tape was also seen near the club
Those devices are believed to have included propane tanks and pipe bombs, although only some detonated, according to the same sources.
The impact was devastating. One source described the ground floor as ‘completely destroyed,’ with damage costs expected to run into the millions.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene as flames tore through the entrance, with authorities quickly shutting down surrounding streets and establishing a large perimeter.
Police later confirmed the Explosive Disposal Unit recovered evidence of explosive materials inside the car.
Despite the scale of the destruction, no other injuries were reported.
In a message to members, club general manager Charles Leverton confirmed that the video had been circulating ‘without authorization,’ as he acknowledged the shock rippling through the community.
‘While much remains unknown and the investigation is ongoing, it is clear that this is a difficult moment for our entire community,’ Leverton wrote.
‘MAC has always been more than a building. It is a place where relationships are formed and people come together in good times and in challenging ones. Today is one of those moments where the strength of the community matters most.’
Police and the FBI in Portland spoke to the press about the crash and subsequent fire at the Multnomah Athletic Club
A ‘former disgruntled employee’ reportedly crashed into a Portland athletics club overnight
Multnomah Athletic Club is the largest private athletic and social club in the US, with a membership of over 21,000
The club has been closed indefinitely following what it described as a ‘significant incident,’ with all programs, services and activities canceled until further notice.
‘Our priority is ensuring the club is safe before welcoming our community back,’ the organization said in a follow-up statement, adding it is cooperating fully with the Portland Police Bureau and Portland Fire & Rescue.
Photos after the crash, shared by local Fox affiliate KPTV showed caution tape surrounding the club.
Bizarrely, this is not the first time a car has crashed into the Multnomah this month. On April 8, a driver sideswiped a car and veered into the club’s property.
A security guard walking on the sidewalk suffered a lower leg injury. Photos of the scene depicted a grey vehicle lodged under a metal staircase on top of a planter box.
Police said at the time that they did not suspect the crash was a result of criminal activity. It does not appear that the two instances are related.
Multnomah Athletic Club is the largest private athletic and social club in the US, with a membership of over 21,000 people, according to the club’s website.
Membership fees are $280 for an individual per month and $422 for a family.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Portland Police Bureau for more information and to Multnomah for comment.
