An armed assailant ambushed two Portland police officers responding to a routine threat call, shot them both, and vanished into the night despite nearly 90 law enforcement units scouring the neighborhood for hours.

A Routine Call Turns Deadly

Officers arrived at Northeast 17th Avenue and Northeast Clackamas Street after receiving reports of a man making threats with a knife. Within moments of their arrival, gunfire erupted. Two officers were struck before they could neutralize the threat. The suspect, who had escalated from wielding a knife to firing a handgun, immediately fled the scene. This rapid deterioration from a knife threat to an active shooter scenario exemplifies the split-second dangers officers face. What began as a welfare check transformed into an officer-involved shooting and massive manhunt within minutes.

CRIME: Two Portland officers shot. Suspect escaped. Lloyd District is out of control & the city has just 35–45 patrol officers left. Defunding the police has not worked out for the Rose City.

A manhunt failed after a suspect shot two Portland police officers Monday night in the… pic.twitter.com/FL1aJo6su2

— @amuse (@amuse) January 20, 2026

The Search That Found Nothing

Portland Police deployed an overwhelming response—nearly 90 units descended on the Sullivan’s Gulch neighborhood. K9 teams tracked scent trails. Drone operators scanned from above. Crisis negotiation teams stood ready. Officers established a wide perimeter and ordered residents to shelter in place, lock their doors and windows, and report anything suspicious.

The search continued through the night until approximately 5:30 a.m., when police finally concluded the active operation. The suspect had somehow evaporated despite the massive law enforcement presence. Residents woke Tuesday morning to the unsettling reality that a man who shot two police officers was still among them.

A Ghost in Black

Surveillance footage captured the suspect before the shooting. Police describe a Caucasian male in his mid-30s with facial hair, dressed entirely in black—baseball cap, jacket over a gray hooded sweatshirt, pants, and shoes. He carried a black backpack and a green shopping bag, seemingly prepared for flight. The images reveal an ordinary-looking man who could blend into any Portland street scene. This ordinariness makes him more dangerous. He threatened someone with a knife, shot two police officers, and disappeared into a densely populated neighborhood. Police warn he remains armed with both the knife and handgun, classifying him as “armed and dangerous.”

🚨 Portland Police release photos of suspect after allegedly shooting two officers near NE 17th Ave & NE Clackamas St last night.

Suspect: Caucasian male, mid-30s, facial hair. Wearing a black cap, black jacket over gray hoodie, black pants/shoes. Armed with a handgun and knife;… pic.twitter.com/7adLzwqmLd

— IRT Media (@IRT_Media) January 20, 2026

Officers Down But Not Out

Both wounded officers were transported to a local hospital in stable condition. Dispatch audio, though unconfirmed by police officials, indicates one officer was shot in the leg while the other sustained wounds to the arm and ear. Police Chief Bob Day visited both officers at the hospital, emphasizing the department’s commitment to “the sanctity of life.” Portland Mayor Keith Wilson called the incident “a stark reminder of the dangers of the job, the jobs that our officers go out every day to serve and protect our community.” These officers will recover, but they joined countless law enforcement personnel who have learned that routine calls can turn lethal without warning. The question of whether officers returned fire remains unanswered, as police declined to confirm that detail.

A City Living With Fear

Portland residents now face an uncomfortable truth: a violent offender who demonstrated a willingness to shoot police officers walks freely among them. The investigation continues as detectives gather evidence and follow leads. Police are requesting that residents provide any video footage from the area and report suspicious activity. The suspect’s ability to evade such an extensive search raises troubling questions about preparedness and escape planning. This was not a panicked flight—this was a calculated disappearance.

Sources:

ABC News – Portland Police Hunt for Suspect Who Allegedly Shot Two Officers

WJLA – Large Police Presence in Northeast Portland

WBFF – Large Police Presence in Northeast Portland Near Lloyd Center

WGME – Large Police Presence in Northeast Portland Near Lloyd Center