3-12-2007

A routine traffic stop turned into a life or death situation for the Portland Police Monday. Reportedly, cops pulled over a driver at the Trader Joe's on South East 39th and Holgate. After a brief contact, the back seat passenger jumped out, fired two shots and then ran off into a nearby residential area. The officer did not return fire because the area was so dense with pedestrians and passersby.

For the next five hours, several blocks were in complete lockdown. When I arrived on the scene officers had walled off most of the streets with squad cars and were in the process of establishing the perimeter. K-9 units coupled with officers bearing rifles patrolled the streets. Yellow police tape marked spaces where neighbors and pedestrians could gather and watch from a safe distance.

Talking with witnesses and neighbors, I learned that moments earlier the car pulled into the lot at Trader Joe's, someone popped out and fired, then ran into the neighborhood. Immediately after, the quiet residential streets were rocked by dozens of squad cars racing to the scene with lights and sirens. Rush hour traffic was diverted onto side streets (one neighbor told me that she didn't realize anything was up until Tri-Met buses started rolling by her front door). Some neighbors tell me they were terrified to even go home for fear that the suspect would hold them hostage.

Luckily, this case ended safely. Cops tracked the suspect to a building about five hours after the ordeal began and convinced him to come out (they believe he ran because he had a warrant for Meth). 24-year-old Nicholas Ramon Onuskanvich is facing drug and attempted murder charges. The driver and other passenger were detained at the scene. At this point there's no word on charges for those two.