Oregon Cannabis Store Manager Found Not Guilty in Deadly Shooting of Armed Robbers During Late-Night Hold-Up

PORTLAND, OREGON – A cannabis store manager accused of killing two armed robbers during a late-night holdup has been acquitted of murder, with jurors concluding he acted in self-defense after facing a life-threatening situation inside his dispensary.

Jury Rules in Favor of Self-Defense

According to The Oregonian, Jason Robert Steiner, 35, was found not guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and related weapons charges for the October 2024 shooting at the La Mota cannabis dispensary in the Portland metro area.

Prosecutors argued that Steiner could have fled the scene rather than shoot the suspects “in the back,” claiming the threat had ended before he opened fire. But jurors sided with the defense, agreeing Steiner had the legal right to protect himself.

“These were not fake or ammo-less guns,” defense attorney Thalia Sady told jurors. “They were prepared and ready to kill that night.”

The verdict came after jurors viewed bodycam footage of Steiner’s emotional 911 call, where he sobbed and repeated, “I didn’t want to hurt anyone.”

The Confrontation

The incident began around 10:30 p.m. on October 3, 2024, when three armed men entered the La Mota store. Steiner, who was the only employee on duty, said he heard noises from the front area and stepped out of a backroom — only to find himself staring down three handguns.

The robbers allegedly let him leave, but Steiner later told investigators he feared they might follow him outside or steal his car to “hunt him down.”

After stepping out, Steiner reportedly retrieved his self-made semiautomatic weapon from his backpack and waited near the drive-through window. When he saw one suspect moving inside, he believed they were preparing to fire. He then opened fire through the window, discharging 13 rounds before running out of ammunition.

Police said he immediately called 911 and surrendered his weapon when officers arrived.

Two Robbers Killed, Third Escaped

Responding officers found King Lawrence, 18, dead at the scene, and Tahir Burley, 20, mortally wounded. A third suspect fled before police arrived and has not been publicly identified.

Investigators later found 13 shell casings at the scene. Though police initially questioned whether Steiner could have retreated safely, jurors agreed that under Oregon’s self-defense statute, he was justified in using deadly force to eliminate what he reasonably believed was an imminent threat.

Emotional Reaction in Court

Steiner reportedly broke down in tears when the verdict was read, thanking jurors for understanding his fear and describing the shooting as “the most traumatic event” of his life.

His attorneys emphasized that the case highlighted the dangers faced by cannabis dispensary workers, who often handle large amounts of cash and are frequent targets of armed robbery.

“Jason made a split-second decision to survive,” Sady said. “That doesn’t make him a criminal — it makes him human.”

The La Mota dispensary chain, which operates several locations across Oregon, released a brief statement expressing condolences to all involved while thanking law enforcement for completing a “thorough and transparent investigation.”

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