Woman found guilty after firing gun at PDX in 2023

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The woman who opened fire in Portland International Airport in 2023 was found guilty on gun charges after a four-day trial last week.

According to the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, Laura Patterson was found guilty of several crimes including unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a firearm in a public building, first-degree criminal mischief with a firearm, recklessly endangering another person, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded firearm in public.

The original incident happened on Nov. 14, 2023, when Patterson left a bathroom near the TSA checkpoint and fired a pistol into the air several times.

While in custody, court documents said that Patterson claimed she drove from her home in Kennewick, Wash. to PDX and fire the gun so that she would not kill her family in Texas.

Authorities said they learned Patterson wanted to kill her family because “they are pedophiles and were aware of the sexual abuse but covered it up.”

On Nov. 16, 2023, Patterson made her first court appearance and pled not guilty to the charges.

Patterson is still in custody and her sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 19.