UPDATE: Tactical Team Incident Resolved Peacefully, Suspect in Attempted Arson Arrested

On Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 1:55 p.m., Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a call that there was smoke coming from an apartment in the 4300 block of Southeast Division Street. Police were also dispatched as the person in the apartment, in a unit on the second floor, was heard banging things inside. Firefighters smelled smoke, breached the apartment door, and were immediately confronted by a suspect with an edged weapon. They backed away and notified PPB officers. Officers initially made emergency entry due to the danger of fire in the apartment building. They determined that nothing was actively burning, so they attempted to communicate with the person inside. There was no response. Officers evacuated several apartments in the building.

Portland Police Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) were activated and responded to the scene. Numerous efforts were made by CNT to communicate with him and convince him to surrender, but he did not respond. Over the next several hours, SERT used numerous tools and techniques to try to safely resolve the situation peacefully, including using K9 units, communication devices, drones, multiple robots (including the first tactical deployment of the Metro Explosives Disposal Unit's advanced 4-legged robot), and irritant gasses including CS and OC vapor.

The suspect still refused to come out. Officers slowly moved in, methodically searching the apartment for him. At 9:46 p.m., officers arrested the suspect. He had a knife next to him at the time he was arrested (photo). It's unclear if it's the edged weapon that firefighters saw him holding on their initial response.

The Portland Fire Investigations Unit responded to the scene. The suspect, Elijah Dickson, 28, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Attempted Arson in the First Degree, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, and an arrest warrant for Burglary in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Assault in the Fourth Degree.

Traffic has reopened in the area and residents are able to return to their homes.

The Portland Fire Investigations Unit is composed of fire investigators with Portland Fire & Rescue, who are sworn law enforcement officers, and a detective with the Portland Police Bureau. The collaboration leverages the specialized training and skills needed to investigate fires, including analysis equipment and accelerant detecting dogs.

###PPB###

***Original Message Below***

Traffic #ALERT: Tactical Teams Responding to an Armed Person in Crisis Call in the Richmond Neighborhood

Portland Police Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) are responding to an armed person in crisis incident in the Richmond Neighborhood, and traffic is blocked on Southeast Division Street.

Portland Police officers assigned to East Precinct were dispatched to assist Portland Fire & Rescue responding to a report of smoke coming from an apartment. The firefighters were confronted by a suspect with an edged weapon, so they backed out and called for PPB help (call #26-101848). No one was injured.

There is some indication of burning, however there is no sign of active fire at this time. Neighboring apartments have been evacuated as a precaution.

Southeast Division Street is closed between Southeast Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard and Southeast 50^th Avenue.

The PIO is responding to the scene. Updates will be provided as appropriate.

###PPB###