Man Charged With Attempted Murder In PSU Hit-And-Run

UPDATE (May 25, 10:10 p.m. PT) — Portland Police say three women have been transported to area hospitals after a hit-and-run at Portland State University, and a Portland man has been charged with three counts of attempted murder. He's expected to be arraigned Tuesday, according to Portland Police Sgt. Christopher Burley.

One of the women is in critical condition, police said. Another is in serious condition. A third asked that no information about their condition be shared.

Based on witness reports, police began seeking a blue Mazda Tribute SUV soon after the hit-and-run. They found a vehicle fitting that description around 12:45 p.m. Friday and took an older white man into custody. They say there is no ongoing danger for the community.

The Mazda involved in the hit-and-run is registered to Greg Porter, a 61-year-old man with a Southeast Portland address, according to Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services. On Friday evening, Porter was booked into the Multnomah County jail on 12 charges, including three counts of attempted murder and three counts of first-degree assault, according to jail records.

Court records show Porter has no significant criminal history prior to Friday.

The address on Porter’s driver’s license is the same as a long-term care facility, Secora Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported the director of the facility said the man who police arrested was a patient who moved out on May 1. The news organization also reported the director said the suspect "suffered from delusions." Calls by OPB to Secora were not immediately returned.

Police haven't said if the act was intentional.

TV helicopter footage showed damage to the front of the SUV.

The Multnomah County District Attorney's office said in a tweet that it had investigators at the scene aiding law enforcement with the ongoing investigation.

The incident occurred at Southwest 6th Avenue and Montgomery Street, in downtown Portland at PSU.

Police said the women were on the sidewalk when the they were hit.

"The pedestrians were on the east sidewalk of 6th Avenue when they were struck by the vehicle that was reportedly also on the sidewalk," Burley said.

A fourth person is believed to be injured but left the scene. Police said they were hoping to talk to that individual. They're also seeking help from witnesses who may have seen the hit-and-run or caught it on video, and from area businesses that may have surveillance footage.

"Information about this incident has been shared with officers around the city and with other law enforcement agencies in the area," Burley said.

PSU student Amber Lee told KGW she saw a blue vehicle moving at highway speed.

"I didn't even see if it was a female or a male [driving]," Lee said. "I just saw a fast car. And I was thinking to myself that car is going way too fast for being on this road."

Zane Gruwell, who works at a nearby Cafe Yumm, said he heard commotion around 10:20 a.m. He saw three ambulances and several firetrucks.

"The one girl was just laying on the ground flat for 20-something minutes while they were trying to help her up," Gruwell said. "She just wasn't moving."

Gruwell said he also saw a second victim.

"She was screaming when they picked her up because her ankle was messed up," he said. "She was screaming at the top of her lungs. There was a puddle of blood that they covered with her hoodie. They dragged her away and she was all yelling about her knee and all that, screaming."

Portland State University is an open campus in downtown Portland. School administrators say they'll provide support to any members of the PSU community who may have been impacted by this incident.

This story will be updated.

OPB's Ericka Cruz Guevarra and Dirk VanderHart contributed to this report.