UPDATE: Goose Hollow Stabbing Victim Identified, Suspect Arrested (Photo)

December 27, 2023 14:01

  Follow @PortlandPolice

The victim who died after being found stabbed at the Goose Hollow Transit Station is identified as Juan Francisco Orellana-Gavarrete, 23. His family has been notified of his death and provided the attached photograph for public release. They are asking for privacy at this time.

The Medical Examiner determined he died of homicide by stabbing. Preliminary investigation indicates that the fight between the victim and the suspect that preceded the stabbing happened on or near the Providence Park MAX station. The victim rode the train to the Goose Hollow station where he was reached by officers and other first responders.

Homicide Detectives identified a suspect in the case, Edel Cruz-Aragon, 22, and his information was shared with law enforcement. On Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at 12:57p.m., Central Precinct officers located Cruz-Aragon at Southwest 9th Avenue and Southwest Oak Street. He attempted to walk away but the officers caught up with him and he was arrested.

Cruz-Aragon was transferred to Detectives, who booked him into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

This case remains under investigation. Anyone with information on this incident, who has not yet spoken to police, is asked to contact Detective Jason Koenig at jason.koenig@police.portlandoregon.gov or Detective William Winters at william.winters@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 23-331064.

Photo description: Family photo of victim Juan Orellana-Gavarrete smiling next to a river

###PPB###

***Original Message Below***

One person is deceased in a stabbing incident in the Goose Hollow Neighborhood.

On 12/24/23, at approximately 6:27 p.m., officers from the Central Precinct responded to a report of a person stabbed aboard a Trimet MAX Train at the Goose Hollow Transit Station. Officers arrived and located an adult male suffering from a stab wound. Officers provided emergency medical aid to the victim prior to paramedics arriving. The victim was transported to an area hospital by ambulance where he was later declared deceased.

Detectives from the Homicide Detail responded to begin their investigation. Criminalists from the Forensic Evidence Division are processing the scene and collecting evidence. As such, the Goose Hollow MAX Stop will be closed for the next several hours.

“My heart goes out to the victim’s family and friends,” Portland Police Chief Bob Day said. “For someone to lose their life in a violent crime is unacceptable. For it to happen on Christmas Eve is exponentially worse. I can assure the community our officers and detectives are doing everything in their power on this holiday to track down those responsible.”

Based on the initial investigation, while there is currently a suspect at large, there is not an on-going threat to the public.

Anyone with information on this incident, who has not yet spoken to police, is asked to contact Detective Jason Koenig at jason.koenig@police.portlandoregon.gov or Detective William Winters at william.winters@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 23-331064.

More information will be released when appropriate.

###PPB###

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