A bicyclist was seriously injured in a shocking incident on Saturday morning when he was allegedly attacked with a machete by a man living in a tent along a bike path in Northeast Portland. According to Portland Police Bureau (PPB) and court documents, the attack occurred just after 11:30 a.m. in the 1200 block of Northeast 92nd Avenue.
Responding to reports of an assault, officers arrived at the scene to find the victim suffering from a significant cut to his arm. Witnesses quickly provided police with a description of the assailant and the direction in which he fled down the Gateway Green Path.
Within a short time, police located and arrested 37-year-old Victor A. Peterson, the suspect in the case. Officers conducted a search of the area and recovered the machete believed to have been used in the attack, which was subsequently seized as evidence.
Peterson was taken into custody and booked at the Multnomah County Jail on charges of second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon. According to booking documents, Peterson allegedly confessed to police that he attacked the victim because the bicyclist had placed his bike too close to his tent, which he referred to as his “house.” The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment, although his current condition remains undisclosed.
On Monday, Peterson appeared in Multnomah County court, where he entered a not guilty plea to the charges against him. The incident has raised concerns about safety in public spaces and the ongoing challenges faced by both the homeless community and those who share the city’s recreational areas.
