A midday disturbance that ended with a stabbing and the use of pepper spray on a westbound TriMet MAX train left commuters shaken and prompted an arrest Thursday afternoon.
What happened
Beaverton police say the westbound train, traveling from Portland toward Beaverton, stopped at the Sunset Transit Center about 12:49 p.m. after a fight between two men. One of the men allegedly pepper-sprayed and stabbed the other. The victim was taken to a hospital and is expected to be OK, authorities said.
Arrest and charges
Officers arrested a suspect at the scene identified as 27-year-old Jesus E. Verduzco. He now faces three criminal counts related to the incident.
- Second-degree assault
- Unlawful use of a weapon
- Unlawful use of mace
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Westbound TriMet MAX, stopped at Sunset Transit Center |
| Time reported | About 12:49 p.m. |
| Suspect | Jesus E. Verduzco, 27 |
| Victim | Transported to hospital; expected to recover |
Riders react; TriMet responds
People on the train described fear and frustration after witnessing the attack. One rider said the incident made them think twice about using public transit with family members. Another told reporters the episode felt like a “worst nightmare.”
“It’s just really scary to think, ‘What if this time I go and something could happen?’”
TriMet issued a written statement emphasizing safety on its system and noting the scale of its operations: “Violence has no place on our transit system, which our community uses daily to connect with jobs, school, shopping and services. Of the more than 5.7 million trips we provide each month, the vast majority are inciden...” The agency did not expand on potential service impacts from the incident in the initial statement.
Commuters told reporters the attack has left them nervous about returning to light rail. Some said they now avoid traveling alone with older relatives, while others framed the episode as part of broader struggles they see in the city.
Local context and what comes next
The arrest appears to have ended the immediate threat to riders on that train, but the incident highlights continuing concerns about safety on public transportation in the Portland metro area. Police will forward the case to prosecutors, who will decide whether to file formal charges. TriMet and local law enforcement did not provide additional details about motives or any prior interaction between the men.
For now, investigators and transit officials are left to balance routine service with heightened rider anxiety. The account from riders and the arrest serve as a reminder that even short, everyday trips can turn dangerous — and that how agencies respond will shape whether commuters feel comfortable using the MAX again.
