The tent where a possibly armed suspect was believed to be hiding has been cleared. The suspect was not inside. Tactical teams are clearing the scene and the shelter-in-place order is lifted.

On Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 11:15 a.m., Portland Police Officers from Central Precinct responded to a disturbance call at an apartment in the 1400 block of Northwest Pettygrove Street. As they were enroute, they learned that a victim was reporting that a man known to her had broken into her apartment and was armed with a gun. The officers also learned that she was uninjured, and that the suspect had already left.

Officers responded to interview the victim, while others searched the area for the suspect, who was believed to be on foot. Additional investigation led officers to a group of tents in the area of Northwest 19th Avenue and Northwest Upshur Street. Officers surrounded the area and attempted to contact the suspect, but they were unsuccessful. As there was no safe way to know if the tent was occupied with an armed suspect, the incident commander recognized that tactical teams with additional tools, training, and resources would be needed.

At 1:18 p.m., SERT and CNT were activated and responded to the scene. They took several steps to safely establish that the suspect was not in the tent. At 4:02 p.m., SERT and CNT were cleared from the scene, and the shelter-in-place order was lifted for nearby residents and businesses.

The investigation is continuing and the suspect is still being sought. For investigative reasons, he is not being identified at this time.

The Portland Police Bureau recognizes the disruption that this incident caused the neighborhood and we appreciate the understanding of the community as we safely resolved this incident.

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***Original Message Below***

*This clarifies that this incident is a SERT and CNT activation and that the area is contained*

Portland Police tactical teams, including the Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), are searching for a possibly armed suspect in the Northwest District Neighborhood.

The incident is underway in the area of Northwest 19th Avenue and Northwest Upshur Street and officers have contained the area. Nearby residents and businesses have been alerted and asked to shelter in place through the PublicAlerts system.

Area streets are closed, including Northwest Thurman Street, Northwest Upshur Street, and Northwest Thurman Streets between Northwest 18th Avenue and Northwest 20th Avenue.

A PIO is on scene. Additional information will be released as appropriate.

Portland's community notification system is called PublicAlerts. Visit https://www.publicalerts.org to sign up. PublicAlerts sends information by text, email, and voice message about how to stay safe during an emergency.

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