Portland Man Indefinitely Committed to State Hospital After Insanity Verdict in Triple Homicide

Portland, Oregon | April 11, 2025

Man Guilty Except for Insanity in Deadly 2022 Portland Shooting Spree

Joseph Banks, the man behind a harrowing series of random shootings that left three people dead and four others seriously injured across Portland in early 2022, has been found guilty except for insanity and committed indefinitely to the Oregon State Hospital.

The ruling, announced Friday by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office, comes after extensive evaluations by three independent forensic psychologists, all of whom diagnosed Banks with schizophrenia and determined that he lacked the capacity to appreciate the criminality of his actions. Under Oregon law, a verdict of “guilty except for insanity” means the individual will receive treatment instead of prison time, while remaining under the jurisdiction of the state’s Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB).

A Devastating Series of Attacks

The violent spree began on January 2, 2022, when Banks fatally shot 35-year-old Isaiah Hurst while Hurst was driving in North Portland. A month later, on February 2, Banks killed another motorist, 35-year-old Jeff Ramirez, under similar circumstances. As he fled the scene, Banks fired at and seriously injured pedestrian Stephen Berrera.

Later that same day, Banks was also accused of assaulting Christopher Berrera, although that incident was not addressed in the final judgment.

On February 28, Banks targeted two more individuals in separate incidents near Dawson Park. He first shot Lillian Cloud after confronting them over their origin. Less than an hour later, he shot Thad Thomas as Thomas was getting into his car with his partner and infant child. Thomas reported that Banks asked whether he worked for the government before opening fire. Both Cloud and Thomas survived but suffered serious injuries.

The deadly spree came to an end on March 1, 2022, when Banks fatally shot 55-year-old Mark Johnson, also near Dawson Park. Police later recovered 9mm shell casings from each scene, confirming that all incidents were linked to the same firearm.

Banks was arrested the following day, March 2, and initially pleaded not guilty. However, he was found unfit to aid in his own defense and was committed to the Oregon State Hospital in June 2022. He had been residing in a group home for adults with mental illness at the time of the shootings.

Legal Aftermath and Family Reactions

Banks was found guilty on multiple counts, including three counts each of second-degree murder, attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon.

Despite the legal outcome, the verdict has left surviving family members and victims disheartened. Michael Lewellen, the uncle of Isaiah Hurst, questioned Oregon’s standards for the insanity defense:

"For a mental defect defense to be used in this manner really, really shows that we need to raise the threshold in this state for what it really takes to prove that mental incapacity led to these crimes."

Banks expressed remorse during the proceedings, telling the families that he was sorry and that the victims did not deserve what happened.

Legal Issues: Mental Illness and Civil Liability

While Banks has been committed to a state mental health institution, the victims and their families may still have legal avenues to pursue civil relief. Although the criminal court found Banks not legally responsible due to mental illness, this does not necessarily preclude civil action. Oregon law allows for personal injury and wrongful death claims even when the at-fault individual is mentally ill, although the availability of compensation may depend on other factors, such as insurance coverage or third-party liability.

Another question that may arise in such cases is whether the group home or any supervising entity could face liability under a premises liability claim or for negligent supervision, if there is evidence that the facility failed to provide adequate monitoring for an individual with known violent tendencies.

Similar cases may also involve state accountability if a known dangerous individual was released or inadequately supervised, raising broader policy and legal questions about public safety and mental health oversight.

Seeking Justice and Support

Families affected by violent acts involving individuals with untreated or undertreated mental illness often face long and difficult legal paths. Civil claims can be a vital step toward justice and financial recovery, especially in cases involving catastrophic injury or death.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a violent incident, particularly one involving mental illness or a failure of institutional supervision, it is critical to understand your legal rights. The attorneys at Pacific Injury Law Firm offer compassionate, experienced guidance and a free consultation to help you determine the best path forward. Contact us today at 971-277-3811 (opens in a new tab) or visit our contact page.

Sources:

• Anthony Macuk (KGW) (opens in a new tab)