Oregon Woman Arrested After Stabbing and Arson Incidents

Portland, Oregon – A woman is facing multiple charges, including arson and menacing, following a disturbing incident on Thursday, May 9, 2024, where she allegedly stabbed two occupied cars with a knife before setting an unoccupied vehicle ablaze.

The incident unfolded at around 12:14 p.m. when officers from Portland Police’s Central Precinct responded to reports of a woman wielding a knife and running in traffic near Southwest Barbur Boulevard and Southwest 26th Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers located the suspect, later identified as 42-year-old Elishama M. Mathews, on Southwest Spring Garden Street. Mathews appeared to be in a state of mental health crisis and was walking away from the officers. An Enhanced Crisis Intervention Team (ECIT) officer was brought in to assist with communication, ultimately persuading Mathews to discard the knife and surrender peacefully.

Meanwhile, authorities were alerted to a vehicle fully engulfed in flames in the 8700 block of Southwest 26th Way, just south of Southwest Spring Garden Street. Portland Fire & Rescue quickly responded to extinguish the fire.

Upon investigation, it was determined that Mathews had used the knife to damage two passing vehicles, causing dents and scratches, before setting fire to an unoccupied parked car shortly before law enforcement arrived. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

Mathews was subsequently taken into custody and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Arson in the Second Degree, Menacing (2 counts), and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree (2 counts).

The Portland Fire Investigations Unit was dispatched to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation into the arson. This unit, comprised of fire investigators from Portland Fire & Rescue and a detective from the Portland Police Bureau, utilizes specialized training and equipment, including accelerant detecting dogs, to probe the causes of fires.

In response to crisis situations, all Portland Police Bureau officers undergo basic Crisis Intervention Training and receive annual refresher courses. Moreover, the Enhanced Crisis Intervention Team (ECIT) is comprised of volunteer officers specifically trained to respond to behavioral crises, employing deescalation techniques and connecting individuals in crisis with community resources.