On Sunday, January 14, 2024 at 12:35a.m., Central Precinct officers responded to a report from a community member of shots heard on the 8th floor of an apartment building at 140 Southwest Columbia Street in Downtown Portland. Within 6 minutes, officers began arriving and assessing the situation. An officer found bullet strikes in the hallway and they began to try to narrow down from where the shots were coming. Officers could hear voices yelling from within an apartment, further raising concern that someone may be in danger. Officers heard additional shots and requested additional resources. They also sent a Public Alerts message to residents of the building notifying them of the dangerous situation and requesting they stay in their units with doors locked.
At 1:01 a.m., the Special Emergency Reaction Team and Crisis Negotiation Team were activated. Members of the teams responded through the inclement weather, bringing additional resources, training, and equipment. With every SERT/CNT activation, a Critical Incident Commander responds to the scene to manage the overall response.
As officers were getting into position, they continued to hear shots being fired from inside the apartment. CNT officers were attempting to place phone calls inside the unit, and rescue plans were being formed. In an attempt to learn whether anyone might be inside and need rescue, SERT officers positioned themselves at an outer perimeter position across the street from the apartment where they attempted to see in through the windows.
While officers attempted to learn more, the sounds of shots and yelling stopped for over an hour. Officers used that time to work towards evacuating the apartments nearest to the suspect, move in additional resources, form contingency plans, and gather information. Arrangements were made to have a warm place for evacuated residents to wait. Members of the Crisis Negotiation Team continued to attempt phone contact with the occupants of the suspect’s apartment multiple times without success. SERT officers also attempted loud hails from the hallway, without response.
Then, at 2:40a.m., additional gunshots were heard, and at least one neighbor reported bullets were piercing the walls of their apartment. A short time later, one officer on the outer perimeter used deadly force.
Officers in the apartment’s hallway breached the door and searched the apartment, finding the suspect injured. They did not find anyone else inside. Immediately, they summoned paramedics and attempted lifesaving measures. However, the man died.
Officers found an AR-15 style rifle next to the man. Bullet holes were found in the apartment door and walls. The officers checked neighboring units and confirmed there were no injuries. After the on-scene investigation was concluded, residents of neighboring units were able to return home.
“Every time a gun is fired in our neighborhoods, whether by a community member or a police officer, it affects us all in profound ways,” said Police Chief Bob Day. “I recognize the impact these events have. There’s no question this was an extraordinarily dangerous and challenging incident, and I appreciate the dedicated service of the police bureau members involved. To the community, I pledge that we are investigating this fully and will share more information as soon as appropriate while protecting the integrity of the investigation.”
The man who died in Sunday’s officer-involved shooting in Downtown Portland was Matthew L Holland, 31, of Portland. His family has been notified of his death and they are requesting privacy at this time.
The Portland Police Bureau member involved in the January 14th downtown Portland shots fired incident is identified as Officer Joshua Howery, a 23-year veteran of the Portland Police Bureau assigned to East Precinct and a member of the Special Emergency Reaction Team. He remains on administrative leave as the investigation continues.
