Fired Portland Bartender With “Violent Obsession” Over Club Rams Explosives-Filled SUV Into Entrance

A bartender who used to work at an athletic club committed an act of revenge after he was fired. The former Portland bartender allegedly filled his rental SUV with explosives and smashed through the front doors. The fatal crash resulted in extensive damage in the lobby of the Multnomah Athletic Club, and it also killed him.

The man has been identified as Bruce Whitman, 45.

Whitman allegedly filled his car with explosive materials like propane tanks and pipe bombs and drove the rental car through the front doors, according to The Oregonian.

The fatal incident unfolded around 3 a.m. on May 2 in the city’s Goose Hollow neighborhood. Authorities said Whitman rented a black Nissan Rogue just a day before the attack. He used the vehicle to smash through the front doors and set off the explosives.

The incident was captured on security cameras. Footage showed how the dark SUV rammed into the building, shattering glass and causing a tear across the ground floor. According to reports, after the explosives were set off, the entrance area was torn through.

The club reported millions of dollars in damage, as the explosion also affected the gym's interior. Despite the fatal nature of the crash, only the driver was killed. No other injuries or casualties were reported. According to a source, the aftermath of the explosion was “complete devastation.”

Whitman was found dead inside the SUV. Authorities initially withheld his identity. However, later, his mother, Rita Lenzer, confirmed to reporters that it was her son. Lenzer said that she last heard from him the day before the attack.

“And then I didn’t hear from him until I got a call from the detective the next morning,” Lenzer said. Firefighters were dispatched to put out the flames that spread through the club’s ground floor. The Explosive Disposal Unit also recovered evidence of explosive materials from the scene.

Lenzer acknowledged that Whitman grew a “violent obsession" after he was fired from the club. “If it was brought up, you could tell, you know, it made him angry,” she said.

According to court documents, after getting fired, Whitman showed up at the homes of the club members and threatened them. He was also spotted outside the club, engaging in verbal disputes with people connected to the facility.

Lenzer said earlier this year, Whitman was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Following a suicide attempt, he was also admitted to a Portland behavioral health facility. According to Lenzer, following the treatment, “He showed signs of just being a perfectly normal person.”

Charles Leverton, the club's general manager, acknowledged the shock. “While much remains unknown and the investigation is ongoing, it is clear that this is a difficult moment for our entire community. MAC has always been more than a building. It is a place where relationships are formed, and people come together in good times and in challenging ones,” Leverton said in a statement addressing members.