According to authorities, a man who opened fire in Portland’s Old Town district on Wednesday afternoon sparked a police standoff when he took control of a TriMet bus and refused to get off.
According to a police spokesperson, officers broke into the bus at approximately 3:45 p.m. and threw a smoke bomb and a flashbang inside. The unidentified individual in custody may be charged with everything from kidnapping to unlawful use of a weapon or threats.
According to police spokesperson Mike Benner, the individual was alone inside the halted transport car and had previously dropped a revolver out of an open window.
He claimed that everyone engaged must have been terrified by this circumstance. To bring it to a safe and peaceful end, we deployed as many resources as necessary.
According to Benner, shots were heard shortly after officers arrived at Northwest Fifth Avenue and Glisan Street at 12:15 p.m. in response to allegations of a man brandishing a gun at onlookers.
According to Benner, the gunman waved down a passing bus and got on board as the passengers ran out the back door. The spokesperson said the bus toured the neighborhood before the suspect let the driver go, after the suspect insisted the driver stay and drive him about for a few minutes.
There were no reported injuries.
The bus had been halted just west of the Steel Bridge, at Northwest Glisan Street and Third Avenue, earlier in the afternoon, and at least a dozen officers were visible standing behind it. At the front of the car was a figure wearing a white jacket.
As cops attempted to persuade the man to leave the bus, announcements were played over a loudspeaker.
An officer called out, “Perhaps we can convince you to go to the hospital.” We can assist you if you open the doors.
Tara Faul, a local photographer, reported seeing a man going through a mental health crisis on Wednesday when she was distributing blankets in the neighborhood. Faul reported that after five or six shots were fired, the man rushed onto the bridge and stood in the center of the lane, waving down a bus.
She claimed that as they opened the door and he rushed inside, everyone on the bus suddenly started fleeing in a panic down the street.
Records of dispatch show that at least 20 units were sent. The area’s streets are still restricted.
According to TriMet, police activities caused a disruption in MAX light rail service. The transit agency’s spokeswoman declined to comment further.
For The Oregonian/OregonLive, Zane Sparling reports on court proceedings and breaking news. You may contact him at [email protected], 503-319-7083, or pdxzane.
Crime, public safety, and local news are all topics covered by breaking news reporter Tatum Todd. You can reach them at 503-221-4313 or [email protected].
Maxine Bernstein writes about criminal justice and federal courts. You may contact her at [email protected], 503-221-8212, or follow her on LinkedIn or X@maxoregonian.
Your support is essential to our journalism. Visit OregonLive.com/subscribe to sign up as a subscriber right now.
Latest Public Safety News
-
Portland police chief apologizes to Normandale Park shooting survivors for mischaracterizations
-
Police ID man accused of burglarizing weed shop, barricading self in SE Portland
-
Oregon prison population remains close to pre-pandemic low, due in part to public defender crisis
-
Oregon county that used a $1 lease to target homeless camp faces federal lawsuit
