New details emerge about driver who crashed into Multnomah Athletic Club, family speaks out

Days after investigators say 49-year-old Bruce Whitman drove a car filled with explosives into the Multnomah Athletic Club, the Portland Police Bureau is releasing new details about its prior contacts with him.

Rita Lenzer confirmed that her son, 49-year-old Bruce Whitman, was the man who drove a car full of explosives into the Multnomah Athletic Club (MAC) early Saturday morning. Whitman was killed in the crash.

In a press conference on Monday, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) confirmed Whitman had ongoing mental health issues and had been in contact with its Behavioral Health Unit on multiple occasions since 2021. Police also confirmed that Whitman was most recently hospitalized in February but was released after two weeks.

“I can’t even fathom why or how he thought of doing this. I just don’t understand,” said Rita Lenzer, Whitman’s mother.

Read more: KPTV