Officer-Involved Shooting Leaves One Man Dead, Portland Police Say

PORTLAND, OR — One man is dead and two law enforcement officials are on paid administrative leave following a fatal police shooting in Southeast Portland Wednesday night.

Terrell Kyreem Johnson, 24, died after Portland Police Bureau Officer Samson Ajir shot him multiple times on May 10. In a statement released Thursday afternoon, police officials said "Johnson displayed a utility knife prompting Officer Ajir to fire his handgun."

Of the three law enforcement officials involved none wore body cameras at the time of the shooting, police said. The incident is being investigated internally by the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), police said, adding that grand jury testimony is being recorded and will be released to the public "in a timely manner."

Around 7 p.m. May 10, West Linn Police Officer Jacob Howell, who was assigned to the PPB's Transit Police Division, responded to reports of a white male in his 20s acting erratically and threatening people at the Southeast Flavel Street MAX Station, south of Lents, near Johnson Creek. When Howell arrived at the station he contacted Johnson, "who was non-compliant and would not sit down," police said.

Shortly after Howell's first contact with Johnson, Officer Ajir arrived on-scene with his brother — Deputy A.J. Ajir of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. Seeing the Ajir brothers, Johnson reportedly turned and ran, police said.

As he ran north on the MAX bridge over Johnson Creek, Johnson allegedly pulled out a utility knife near Officer Ajir, who then shot and killed Johnson, police said.

The officers reportedly rendered first aid until paramedics arrived but were unable to save Johnson, police said.

PPB Chief Mike Marshman and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler released the following statements Thursday:

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Johnson family and the families of Officer and Deputy Ajir during this difficult time. This is not the outcome anyone desires and it's distressing for all involved. We remain committed to full transparency and upon completion of the grand jury, we will ensure the entire investigation is released in a timely manner." — Chief Mike Marshman

"I have been in regular communication with Chief Marshman about these events, and we agree that information should be provided to the public in a timely and transparent manner. As facts become available, we must acknowledge that this is a difficult time for the Johnson family and for the officers involved. My thoughts are with them." — Mayor Ted Wheeler

According to police, Johnson's family said Terrell had recently struggled with a drug addiction and that they believe his addiction may have affected his mental health. The family has reportedly asked for privacy.

Johnson has no mental health history on file with the PPB, police said.

On a Facebook page apparently belonging to Johnson, a public post from Jan. 1 offers some insight (though Patch cannot confirm Johnson himself wrote the post):

Once the investigation and legal process are completed, police officials said, the investigative files and any grand jury transcripts will be posted on the bureau's open data page: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/52175

Photo Courtesy: Portland Police Bureau