Portland police respond to reports of a stabbing on a TriMet MAX Light Rail train Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Southeast Portland, Ore.
Photo courtesy of the Portland Police Bureau
A man has been charged with bias crime and assault after allegedly stabbing two teenagers on a TriMet MAX light rail train on the green line in Southeast Portland on Saturday.
In a press release, Portland police said 25-year-old Adrian Cummins stabbed two 17-year-old boys “because of his perception of the victims’ race.”
Police did not state the racial identities of the victims nor Cummins in the press release.
The stabbing happened around 5:45 p.m. in Portland’s Lents neighborhood. Police said they initially responded to reports of a stabbing at the Flavel Street station, but further investigation revealed “the assault began on a MAX train.” The train was later stopped at the Clackamas Town Center station.
Police said Cummins left the Flavel Street station shortly after the assault, but officers found him a few minutes later near the intersection of Flavel Street and Southeast 92nd Avenue. They said Cummins started running and they chased him for several blocks. Police caught up to him and detained him near the Willamette National Cemetery.
One of the victims was transported to a hospital by ambulance, and the other was treated at the scene. Police said their injuries aren’t life-threatening.
Police said Cummins also robbed a convenience store at knife point earlier that day. He has also been charged with robbery.