Paralyzed Oregon Woman Dies After Choosing to End Care

A 32-year-old Oregon woman, referred to as 'Deg', has died after choosing to be taken off a ventilator, following her paralysis from a shooting during a protest in Portland in February 2022. Deg was one of the victims in a mass shooting by Benjamin Smith, who opened fire during the protest against a police-involved shooting, resulting in her paralysis and significant health complications. Having battled pneumonia and the emotional toll of her condition, Deg made the decision to end her life on July 1, 2024, with her mother supporting her choice. Her death has been ruled a homicide due to the gunshot wound that left her incapacitated. Deg's mother expressed the heartache of losing her daughter, who once enjoyed an active lifestyle before the shooting. Smith, the shooter, was previously convicted of second-degree murder for his actions during the protest.