Photo: KATU
Two people are dead and one person is injured after a disturbance and stabbing on a MAX train at the Hollywood Transit Station Friday afternoon. The suspect is in custody.
Around 4:30 p.m. Friday, North Precinct and Transit Police Division officers responded to the report of a disturbance on an eastbound MAX train at the Hollywood Transit Station involving a male who stabbed two other people. Multiple officers responded to the area and, while enroute, learned that the suspect got off the train and was leaving the area on foot towards Providence Medical Center.
Officers and medical personnel arrived at the Hollywood Transit Station and located three stabbing victims. Officers began immediate medical treatment to the victims at the scene until medical personnel arrived. One victim, an adult male, died at the scene. The other two victims were transported by ambulance to a Portland hospital, where one was pronounced dead and the other was treated for injuries that are not expected to be life-threatening.
The suspect was located by officers and taken into custody. The suspect received medical treatment and was turned over to Homicide detectives.
Preliminary information indicates that the suspect was on the MAX train yelling various remarks that would best be characterized as hate speech toward a variety of ethnicities and religions. At least two of the victims attempted to intervene with the suspect and calm him down. The suspect attacked the men, stabbing three, before leaving the train.
Witnesses described to police two young women, possibly Muslim, who were on the train at the time of the disturbance and attack, but left prior to police arrival. The young women have not been identified but one was described as wearing a hijab. Detectives would like to speak to them, and any other people who left the scene, as they may be witnesses to this incident.
The suspect is identified as 35-year-old Jeremy Christian of North Portland. He was was booked on charges of Aggravated Murder (two counts), Attempted Murder, Intimidation in the Second Degree (two counts), and Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon. Christian is being held without bail.
Anyone who was a witness to or has information about this incident is asked to call the Police Non-Emergency Line at 503-823-3333.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler released the following statement:
"Two men lost their lives and another was injured for doing the right thing, standing up for people they didn't know against hatred. Their actions were brave and selfless, and should serve as an example and inspiration to us all. They are heroes."There is too much hatred in our world right now, and far too much violence. Too much of it has arrived here in Portland."My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives, and to those who witnessed what happened. Thank you to our first responders, who provided aid, and police who captured the suspected killer."Now is the time, we must come together as a community and love one another. We must reject hatred and violence. We must seek justice."