PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — A Portland police officer shot and wounded an assault suspect in downtown Portland on Thursday afternoon, a Portland Police Bureau spokesperson said.
The suspect was taken to the hospital.
Two others, who Sgt. Kevin Allen described as victims of the suspect, were also taken to the hospital.
The conditions of all three were not immediately known.
Police were called to Southwest Alder Street near Broadway around 4:30 p.m., Allen said. He said there was then a confrontation near Broadway and Washington Street where the officer opened fire.
“This was a very fast- moving call, fast moving police response. There was a lot of activity,” Allen said. “I know that every available officer in the precinct responded to that Code 3. I was hearing sirens, because I only work a few blocks away, so we heard everybody coming for this call. I was definitely a major, major priority call for us.”
Witnesses told a KATU reporter at the scene that the suspect was going around and stabbing people with a box cutter, as well as physically and verbally assaulting people.
Roads are closed in the area for the police investigation and Allen said the area will be impacted for several hours.
The officer who opened fire will be placed on leave, which is standard practice in police shooting.
Police Chief Bob Day and Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez have responded to the scene, Allen said.
KATU’s Jennifer Singh contributed.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.