UPDATE #2: Stabbing Suspect Identified, Body Worn Camera Video Released

Press Release

This is a summary of an incident on December 11, 2024 when a stabbing suspect, Matthew G. Greer, 43, died after being detained by Portland Police officers.

The suspect in a stabbing who died in police custody is identified as Matthew G. Greer, 43. The officers who detained him in handcuffs are identified as Officer Bradley Clark, an 18-year veteran of Portland Police, and Officer Roger Walsh, also an 18-year veteran. Both have been released from administrative leave and have been cleared to return to work.

One point of clarification to the order of events: the officers attempted to help the man sit up, but he laid back down on the sidewalk on his back. After the officers determined he was a suspect in the stabbing, they rolled him over, handcuffed him, then rolled him onto his side to facilitate breathing.

As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency, the Portland Police Bureau is releasing the initial body-worn camera footage. We understand the public's desire for information, and it's important to us that we share what we can as quickly as possible.

This is just the first step in providing the facts, and more details will come as the investigation continues. It's important to remember that this is still an active case, and there are legal processes, including a thorough review by the District Attorney, that must be followed to ensure fairness to everyone involved. For now, we are offering this footage and a brief summary to keep the community informed, while being mindful of the balance between transparency and the need for a complete and careful investigation.

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***Original Messages Below***

The postmortem exam of the stabbing suspect who died in police custody last night was completed Thursday and the Oregon State Medical Examiner found no indicators that his death was caused by any outside trauma. A formal cause and manner of death determination is awaiting toxicology testing.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the 43-year-old suspect confronted the victim, a 19-year-old male, outside the convenience store in the 1500 block of North Going Street. The two men were known to each other. During the confrontation, the suspect punched the victim in the face, then cut the victim with a knife in the back of his shoulder. Following the attacks, the victim threw a battery powered leaf blower, striking the suspect in the back.

The suspect walked away to the north two blocks and fell on a sidewalk. A passing PPB Public Safety Support Specialist (PS3) saw him down and got out to do a welfare check. He found the man conscious, breathing, and talking. The PS3 summoned police officers, and two officers responded and helped the man sit up. The man was conscious and talking, but he laid back down on the sidewalk. The officers rolled him onto his side to help facilitate breathing.

Officers requested EMS code-1, or nonemergency response, to have the man medically evaluated. It was then that they determined he was involved in the stabbing and the officers detained him in handcuffs without resistance.

About four minutes later, the officers requested to radio dispatch that EMS increase their response level to code-3, or lights and sirens, because the man had lost consciousness. Officers removed the handcuffs and began CPR until paramedics arrived and provided advanced care. American Medical Response (AMR) and Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) attempted lifesaving efforts for approximately 19 minutes before pronouncing the suspect deceased.

The stabbing victim has been treated and released from the hospital.

The suspect will be publicly identified after his family has been notified of his death. The names of the officers involved and their body camera footage will be released at a later time.

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***Original Message Below***

A suspect in a stabbing has died following arrest by officers.

On Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 10:05 p.m., Portland Police officers assigned to North Precinct responded to a report of a stabbing at a convenience store in the 1500 block of North Going Street. When they arrived, they found an injured victim, an adult male. Emergency Medical Services responded and transported him to the hospital with injuries that are believed to non-life threatening.

Meanwhile, officers searched the area for the suspect. Officers located the suspect, also an adult male, at North Interstate Avenue and North Humboldt Street. Officers detained the suspect in handcuffs without resistance or force used.

A short time later, officers requested EMS to medically evaluate the suspect. As EMS was enroute, the suspect lost consciousness. Officers began CPR until EMS arrived and took over. Despite lifesaving efforts, the suspect died at the scene.

To investigate the in-custody death, Portland Police Homicide Unit Detectives responded. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the medical examiner. The man will be identified after his name is confirmed and family is notified.

If anyone has information about this case and has not spoken to police, please contact Detective Shaye Samora at [email protected]… (503) 823-0768 or Detective Michael Schmerber [email protected]… (503) 823-0991 and reference case number 24-316498.

During this investigation, North Interstate Avenue is closed both directions between North Going Street and North Alberta Street. MAX trains are moving through, but no stops within the closure area.

Due to the circumstances, the officers involved are on standard protocol administrative leave.

The Portland Police Bureau directive outlining the procedures followed after an in-custody death.

1010.10 Deadly Force and In-Custody Death Reporting and Investigation Procedures

Additional information will be released as appropriate.

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