PORTLAND, Oregon — Opening arguments began Wednesday in the trial of a Portland cannabis store employee charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder stemming from a 2024 shooting that left two suspected robbers dead. Jason Steiner, 35, is accused of shooting and killing two people who attempted to rob the La Mota cannabis store in North Portland on Oct. 3, 2024.

Steiner sat mostly silent in the courtroom as a 12-member jury listened to testimony from both prosecutors and his defense team.

According to investigators, Steiner was the only employee working at the La Mota shop that night. Surveillance video captured three masked men entering the store and holding him at gunpoint. The suspects forced Steiner out the front door while they appeared to take products from the store.

The video shows Steiner walking around the corner and retrieving a semi-automatic handgun from his bag before returning and firing 13 shots through a window of the building. He then ran across the street and called 911.

“I’m at the La Mota across the street, I had three people try to rob me. I shot 3 of them,” Steiner said in the call.

Court documents state that Steiner later told police he opened fire because he feared the suspects would “hunt him down.”

Two of the alleged robbers — 20-year-old Tahir Burler and 18-year-old King Lawrence — were pronounced dead at the scene.

Body camera footage played in court showed Steiner interacting with police shortly after officers arrived.

“Do you know if I killed anyone?” he asked. “I didn’t want to hurt anyone.”

Steiner was arrested days later and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.

Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer told jurors the shooting was not justified.

“Evidence in this case will show that the defendant had a number of options, a number of options other than killing,” Palmer said.

Steiner’s attorney, Ted Occhialino, argued his client acted in lawful self-defense.

“Jason Steiner is not guilty of murder or any other charges in this case. Because he was justified, and Oregon law allows for the justified use of deadly force in the exact situation like this one,” Occhialino said.

Steiner has pleaded not guilty to all charges.