UPDATE: Autopsy Shows No Traumatic Injuries on Deceased Stabbing Suspect

Portland Police Badge

December 12, 2024 17:26

The postmortem exam of the stabbing suspect who died in police custody last night was completed Thursday and the Oregon State Medical Examiner found no indicators that his death was caused by any outside trauma. A formal cause and manner of death determination is awaiting toxicology testing.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the 43-year-old suspect confronted the victim, a 19-year-old male, outside the convenience store in the 1500 block of North Going Street. The two men were known to each other. During the confrontation, the suspect punched the victim in the face, then cut the victim with a knife in the back of his shoulder. Following the attacks, the victim threw a battery powered leaf blower, striking the suspect in the back.

The suspect walked away to the north two blocks and fell on a sidewalk. A passing PPB Public Safety Support Specialist (PS3) saw him down and got out to do a welfare check. He found the man conscious, breathing, and talking. The PS3 summoned police officers, and two officers responded and helped the man sit up. The man was conscious and talking, but he laid back down on the sidewalk. The officers rolled him onto his side to help facilitate breathing.

Officers requested EMS code-1, or nonemergency response, to have the man medically evaluated. It was then that they determined he was involved in the stabbing and the officers detained him in handcuffs without resistance.

About four minutes later, the officers requested to radio dispatch that EMS increase their response level to code-3, or lights and sirens, because the man had lost consciousness. Officers removed the handcuffs and began CPR until paramedics arrived and provided advanced care. American Medical Response (AMR) and Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) attempted lifesaving efforts for approximately 19 minutes before pronouncing the suspect deceased.

The stabbing victim has been treated and released from the hospital.

The suspect will be publicly identified after his family has been notified of his death. The names of the officers involved and their body camera footage will be released at a later time.

###PPB###

***Original Message Below***

A suspect in a stabbing has died following arrest by officers.

On Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 10:05 p.m., Portland Police officers assigned to North Precinct responded to a report of a stabbing at a convenience store in the 1500 block of North Going Street. When they arrived, they found an injured victim, an adult male. Emergency Medical Services responded and transported him to the hospital with injuries that are believed to non-life threatening.

Meanwhile, officers searched the area for the suspect. Officers located the suspect, also an adult male, at North Interstate Avenue and North Humboldt Street. Officers detained the suspect in handcuffs without resistance or force used.

A short time later, officers requested EMS to medically evaluate the suspect. As EMS was enroute, the suspect lost consciousness. Officers began CPR until EMS arrived and took over. Despite lifesaving efforts, the suspect died at the scene.

To investigate the in-custody death, Portland Police Homicide Unit Detectives responded. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the medical examiner. The man will be identified after his name is confirmed and family is notified.

If anyone has information about this case and has not spoken to police, please contact Detective Shaye Samora at Shaye.Samora@police.portlandoregon.gov (503) 823-0768 or Detective Michael Schmerber Michael.Schmerber@police.portlandoregon.gov (503) 823-0991 and reference case number 24-316498.

During this investigation, North Interstate Avenue is closed both directions between North Going Street and North Alberta Street. MAX trains are moving through, but no stops within the closure area.

Due to the circumstances, the officers involved are on standard protocol administrative leave.

The Portland Police Bureau directive outlining the procedures followed after an in-custody death may be found https://www.portland.gov/policies/police-directives/weapons-ammunition-equipment-1000/101010-deadly-force-and-custody-death .

Additional information will be released as appropriate.

###PPB###

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