PORTLAND, Ore. (Feb. 7, 2026) — A man wanted for attempting to shoot a security officer at a Pearl District grocery store last weekend was killed early Thursday during a confrontation with Portland police, authorities said. No officers or community members were injured.
Police said the case began Saturday, Jan. 31, when officers were called to a grocery store in the 1300 block of Northwest Lovejoy Street after reports of a threat involving a weapon. Investigators said the suspect approached two uniformed security officers, falsely claimed he was a U.S. Secret Service agent, pointed a handgun at one officer and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire. The suspect fled after a brief struggle, leaving behind an instrument case containing a loaded shotgun.
Officers said the shotgun shells were marked with threatening messages that specifically named President Donald Trump. An extensive search failed to locate the suspect that day, and his identity was initially unknown.
The Portland Police Bureau’s Enhanced Community Safety Team later identified the suspect and worked with the U.S. Secret Service and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office to obtain an arrest warrant on charges that included attempted first-degree assault. Due to concerns about public and officer safety, police deployed the bureau’s Special Emergency Reaction Team and Crisis Negotiation Team to serve the warrant.
Around 5:15 a.m. Thursday, officers went to the suspect’s apartment in the 1600 block of Northwest 14th Avenue, police said. Officers announced themselves, ordered the suspect to come out unarmed and issued warnings that force could be used if he did not comply. After repeated attempts to negotiate failed, officers evacuated residents from the floor and deployed irritant gas into the apartment about 35 minutes later.
Police said the suspect then emerged into the hallway holding a handgun. Two officers fired after one reported the suspect pointed the gun at him. Paramedics were called in and determined the suspect was dead at the scene.
The suspect’s identity will be released after formal identification by the medical examiner and next-of-kin notifications, police said. The officers who fired their weapons were placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure following an officer-involved shooting.
The Portland Police Bureau’s Homicide Unit is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Major Crimes Unit and Enhanced Community Safety Team. Anyone with information is asked to contact homicidetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 26-35341.
Police Chief Bob Day and Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez responded to the scene and briefed Mayor Keith Wilson and Deputy City Administrator for Public Safety Bob Cozzie. The bureau said the incident will undergo an internal review and be examined by the Police Review Board, which includes community members and representatives from the Independent Police Review Division.
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