Detectives from the TriMet Transit Police, led by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, are investigating an assault that took place in downtown Portland on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
According to authorities, the incident began around 10:20 a.m. when both Transit Police and the Portland Police Bureau responded to a disturbance near Southwest 5th Avenue and Southwest Madison Street. Investigators believe that an altercation started on a TriMet MAX train and escalated into an assault that continued onto the sidewalk.
The victim sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries consistent with stabbing and physical assault. Paramedics transported the injured man to a hospital for treatment.
The two suspects fled before law enforcement arrived at the scene. Shortly before 11 a.m., officers from the Portland Police Bureau located two males near Lincoln High School who matched descriptions provided by witnesses. Officers pursued them on foot as they entered Lincoln High School and subsequently took them into custody without further incident. Authorities confirmed there were no injuries to anyone inside the school during this event.
The suspects are aged 15 and 22. It is still under investigation whether either has any connection to Lincoln High School. At this time, police have found no evidence suggesting that the suspects knew the victim prior to the assault, and investigators continue to look into what led up to the incident.
The younger suspect will be booked into the Multnomah County Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Center, while the older suspect will be booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center.
No additional information is available at this stage of the investigation.
“The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) leads the multi-agency TriMet Transit Police Division. Transit Police officers and deputies help to ensure a safe transit system by riding trains and buses and visiting platforms and stations. They respond to calls for service and investigate crimes that occur on TriMet property in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties.”
“Current agencies comprising Transit Police include MCSO, the Portland Police Bureau, Port of Portland Police Department, Beaverton Police Department, Hillsboro Police Department, Lake Oswego Police Department, and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.”