Off-Duty Portland Firefighter Stabbed by Stranger

The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.

An off-duty Portland fire lieutenant was at a downtown bar near PGE Park celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife and friends when a stranger burst in and suddenly started stabbing him Saturday night, authorities said.

The lieutenant was seated by the front door of Kingston’s Sports Bar & Grill and was stabbed in the upper torso and upper arm, authorities said.

On Sunday, Portland released video surveillance images of the suspect sought in the stabbing.

Police were called to the bar at 20201 S.W. Morrison St. about 8:05 p.m. The lieutenant’s wife called 911 to report that her husband had been randomly stabbed by a stranger.

The suspect fled the scene on foot, running eastbound on West Burnside Street, police said.

The 53-year-old lieutenant, who has been with the Portland Fire & Rescue Bureau for 23 years, was conscious and talking when police and fire medics arrived.

He was then taken by ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Hospital, where he was treated for his wounds and released later Saturday night. Police and fire officials have not identified him.

Fire Bureau spokesman Lt. Laurent Picard said late Saturday night that the stabbing was "unprovoked.''

Officers responded to the scene and searched for the suspect.

On Sunday, police described the stabbing suspect as a man in his mid-20s, between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 170 pounds, with a black crew-cut hair, unshaven face, olive-colored skin, and wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt, black pants. He initially was described as wearing a white glove.

Fire Chief Sara Boone and other ranking fire bureau supervisors responded to the hospital late Saturday night. The lieutenant was treated at the hospital and released around 11 p.m.

Isaac McLennan, vice president of the Portland Fire Fighters Association that represents line firefighters up to battalion chiefs, said the firefighters in the bureau “went through a shock wave,’’ when they learned of the off-duty lieutenant’s stabbing. “We’re a very tight-knit family, and I think it’s fair to say an injury to one is an injury to all. I’m glad he’s OK,’’ McLennan said.

The case has been sent to Portland Police Bureau Assault Detail detectives, officials said Sunday. Anyone with information about the incident should contact Detective Shaye Samora at 503-823-0768, or shaye.samora@portlandoregon.gov or Detective Jeff Sharp at 503-823-9773, or jeff.sharp@portlandoregon.gov.