Portland officer wounds assault suspect after downtown confrontation

A Portland police officer fired his weapon at an assault suspect during a confrontation on Southwest Alder Street near Broadway on Thursday afternoon, police said. The suspect and two other individuals, described by Sergeant Kevin Allen as victims of the suspect, were transported to a hospital, though their conditions were not immediately released.

Police responded to the scene around 4:30 p.m. after reports that the suspect was stabbing people with a box cutter and verbally assaulting them. Sgt. Allen said the incident prompted a rapid, Code 3 response from multiple officers in the precinct.

"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."

Roads around the area were closed for the investigation, and officials indicated the closure could last several hours. The officer who discharged his weapon will be placed on administrative leave, a standard procedure in police shootings. Police Chief Bob Day and Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez were on site.

The story is developing as authorities continue their investigation.