TriMet Stabbing Suspect Arrested Tuesday Night: Police

PORTLAND, OR — Police on Tuesday arrested an apparent transient who allegedly stabbed a passenger aboard a TriMet MAX train in Southeast Portland.

James Tyrone Stanley, 25, was taken to the Multnomah County Jail for second degree assault — a class B felony. His bail is set at $250,000.

According to Portland police spokesman Sgt. Christopher Burley, East Precinct and Transit Division officers were dispatched to the Division Street Transit Station, 9402 S.E. Division St., following multiple 911 calls regarding an altercation aboard a northbound MAX just before 9 p.m. Dec. 26.

Witnesses told dispatchers a man had been stabbed on the Green Line train as it arrived at the station, and that the suspected stabber had fled the scene afterward.

When police and first responders arrived at the station, they reportedly found a man suffering a non-life-threatening stab wound. He was given first aid at the scene before he was transported to hospital. There has been no update on his condition.

As officers searched the area for the suspect, later identified as Stanley, witnesses told investigators they'd seen him boarding a westbound TriMet bus.

Police were able to locate and stop the bus near the intersection of Southeast Division Street and Southeast 82nd Avenue — about half a mile from the transit station. Stanley, recognized by officers based on descriptions given by witnesses, was reportedly taken into custody without incident.

TriMet's Green Line was disrupted until about 10:30 p.m. while police investigate the crime scene.

Stanley has a handful of assorted assault and theft charges in his criminal history, all in Multnomah County.

Officers report Stanley has no apparent stable housing and is considered transient. He refused to clarify these assumptions when he refused to participate with his after-arrest recognizance interview.

Based on Stanley's behavior, which though unspecified reportedly earned him a stay in an isolation cell, officers recommended a judge deny his release.

Anyone with additional information about the stabbing can call the Portland Police Bureau's Detective Division Assault Detail at 503-823-0479.

Image via Portland Police Bureau