Find out why police pursued a man at the TriMet MAX Flavel Street Transit Station in Lents …
Police converge near the I-205 freeway after a deadly officer-involved shooting near a TriMet MAX station.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
When a TriMet MAX Light Rail rider called the 9-1-1 Center, reporting that a young man was threatening people at the Flavel Street Transit Station, just west of I-205 on SE Flavel Street, at about 7:00 p.m. on May 10, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct and Transit Division units began rolling into the area.
The first arriving officer located the suspect, based on the physical and clothing description provided by witnesses.
The confrontation took place on the rust-colored light-rail bridge, below the police unit, parked above on the side of the freeway.
“The officer, who was in the early stages of his investigation into the report, was speaking with the suspect – who was non-compliant, and would not sit down,” reported PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson.
As other officers arrived, the suspect ran from them – first westbound on SE Flavel Street toward 92nd Avenue, and then back eastbound, before changing direction and running northbound on the MAX bridge over Johnson Creek.
Officers interview witnesses at the scene.
During the foot pursuit, as one of the officers got close to the suspect, the young man “displayed a utility knife, prompting an officer to fire his handgun multiple times, striking the suspect,” Simpson said.
The suspect dropped to the ground, and additional officers arrived and approached with shield in hand, and then began rendering medical aid until paramedics arrived.
“Paramedics determined that Johnson was deceased,” Simpson said. “A utility knife was recovered from the scene.”
Detectives and officers point out the direction of travel of the foot pursuit.
A PPB criminalist with the Bureau’s Forensic Division prepares to document the scene.
In addition to the police officers at the scene, SE Flavel Street soon became congested with vehicles – as PPB Chief Mike Marshman and Mayor Ted Wheeler also responded to the location, as well as representatives from the Office of Independent Police Review, Professional Standards Division, Training Division, Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, Forensic Evidence Division, TriMet, and various partner agencies included in the Transit Police Division.
The Police Bureau Mobile Precinct rolls into the area.
“The officer who discharged his firearm is a member of the Portland Police Bureau, and was partnered with a Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office deputy, as part of their assignment to the multi-agency Transit Police Division,” Simpson revealed. “A West Linn Police Department officer assigned to the Transit Division was also near the scene of the encounter.”
Fatally wounded from gunshots is 24-year-old Terrell Kyreem Johnson. PPB-provided image
The next day, the deceased was identified as 24-year-old Terrell Kyreem Johnson, who did not have a fixed address. “The Oregon State Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy, and determined that Johnson died of multiple gunshot wounds; toxicology results are pending,” Simpson said.
“A family member has an active restraining order/protective order against Johnson,” stated Simpson. “According to Johnson’s family, he has been struggling with drug addiction that they believe may have affected his mental health; but Johnson has no mental health history on file with the Portland Police Bureau.”
Into the evening, the investigation continues.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office will present the case to the Grand Jury, and the officer involved has been placed on paid Administrative Leave. “As part of the ‘use of force’ review process, the Bureau will conduct an internal review of the entire incident, and the case will go before the Police Review Board,” Simpson concluded.
© 2017 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
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