Here’s why the Portland Police’s Major Crimes detectives converged on a Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood apartment Thursday afternoon …
In the Powellhurst–Gilbert neighborhood of outer East Portland, police block westbound SE Powell Boulevard, as detectives investigate an assault at the Fairhaven Apartments.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
An assault call on Thursday, August 27, at 12:58 p.m. brought Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers and detectives to the Fairhaven Apartments, at 13059 SE Powell Boulevard in the Powellhurst–Gilbert neighborhood of outer East Portland.
Westbound lanes of busy Powell Boulevard were closed to vehicular traffic at 136th Avenue, as six marked and unmarked PPB vehicles lined the travel lane. Protruding from the driveway of the Fairhaven Apartments was a white Volkswagen Tiguan, which detectives carefully inspected. No bullet holes were visible on the vehicle.
This Portland Police officer guards a section of the apartment grounds marked with red crime‑scene tape, during the assault investigation.
Yellow police tape blocked off the grounds of the apartment complex, and red crime-scene tape was strung across the sidewalk inside the property.
In response to questions from East Portland News, PPB Public Information Officer Sergeant Kevin Allen explained that the call originally came in as a fight involving multiple people. Sgt. Allen reported that several involved individuals ran off into the surrounding blocks as officers pulled up.
After the incident, officers try to find witnesses at the apartment complex in outer East Portland.
According to Sergeant Allen, “One male was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.” He said that “a firearm was used to blunt-force strike the victim, but the gun was not fired,” and that “after evaluation and treatment, it was determined that his injuries were not life-threatening.”
Sergeant Allen told East Portland News that officers and specialized units conducted an “extensive drone/K9 track” in an effort to locate the suspect or suspects who had left the scene. Despite the scale of the police response, Allen emphasized there was no indication of a broader safety threat to the greater public.
After detectives finish examining this Volkswagen Tiguan, the vehicle believed used by the suspect or suspects remains partly in the street.
According to Sergeant Allen, “The white VW was a suspect vehicle.” He also reported that “PPB Major Crimes Unit detectives responded to this incident,” taking over the follow–up investigation at the scene.
This short‑barreled shotgun is the weapon police say was used to “blunt‑force strike” the victim during the apartment‑complex fight. PPB provided image
One man was arrested, 46-year-old Adam Justin Ferris of Happy Valley, in connection with the incident – so far. Ferris was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) at 7:41 p.m. on August 27, 2026, on charges related to the assault investigation.
However, Ferris wasn’t in custody for long. He was released shortly after his arraignment the following day, August 28. Release reason: Paid Bail.
Sergeant Allen indicated that investigators still had work to do on the case. Additional investigative follow–up was needed, he remarked, and there could be further arrests as detectives continue to review evidence and interview witnesses.
Into the evening hours, officers and detectives keep working the scene outside the outer East Portland apartments – and in the surrounding Powellhurst-Gilbert streets.
If you have information, and haven’t yet spoken with investigators, you are asked to contact the Portland Police Bureau and reference Case No. 26-250811.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
