Portland, Oregon — A 41-year-old man, identified as Michael Harper, was arrested Monday after evading authorities for hours by taking refuge in the raft,ers of a Target store following a confrontation with a security guard. The incident, which prompted a store evacuation and a tense standoff, came to an end when Harper eventually surrendered after negotiations with officers.
According to the Portland Police Bureau, officers arrived at the scene around 10:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a disturbance involving a weapon at the Target located on the 9800 block of Southeast Washington Street. Witnesses initially told police that a suspect armed with a knife and a hatchet threatened a security guard before fleeing deeper into the store.
The incident escalated as the security officer received medical treatment at the scene. Police evacuated the building and launched a search, eventually spotting the man armed with a knife on a second-story shelving unit used to store excess inventory in the back of the retailer.
Officers negotiated with the suspect for several hours, and he eventually dropped the knife and surrendered around 4 p.m. Harper was identified and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of assault, attempted assault, and unlawful use of a weapon.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of managing public safety in urban areas. Authorities are continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the incident to ensure that all protocols were followed in maintaining security for customers and staff.