A stabbing incident in Portland’s Pleasant Valley neighborhood prompted a strong police response on Saturday afternoon. Around 12:30 p.m., officers from the East Precinct were called to a residence on the 6400 block of Southeast 143rd Court, located just south of Foster Road, according to Sergeant Kevin Allen, the Public Information Officer for the Portland Police Bureau (PPB).
Upon their arrival, law enforcement discovered an adult woman inside the home, who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. At the time of the incident, five children were present in the house, but officers successfully evacuated them without any reported injuries.
The children, all believed to be under six years old, including an infant, are being assisted by victim services to reconnect with family members. Police have not yet confirmed if the children are related to either the victim or the suspect.
In light of concerns regarding an ongoing threat, police established a safety perimeter around the area, blocking off Southeast Foster Road between Southeast 142nd Avenue and Southeast 144th Lane. The Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) were deployed amid fears that a suspect might still be present or that there could be additional victims.
SERT officers gained access to the home by using a controlled charge on the garage door, ultimately finding no further victims. It was confirmed that the suspect had fled the scene. Later, the suspect was apprehended in Vancouver, Washington, by the Vancouver Police Department around 3:50 p.m. Authorities are not currently seeking any additional suspects.
While the Portland Police have not confirmed if the arrested individual is linked to the stabbing, a spokesperson for the Vancouver Police indicated that they were involved. Sergeant Allen noted that the reasons behind the suspect’s move to Vancouver remain unclear, and it is uncertain whether he has any ties to the area.
The Homicide Unit of the Portland Police Bureau is actively investigating the incident, with support from the Forensic Evidence Division. The children have been reunited with their family members and are receiving assistance from trauma-informed victim services.
