Police: Man's ear bitten off during attack on MAX platform
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Authorities arrested a man accused of attacking an elderly man on a MAX platform in Gresham early Tuesday morning.
Shortly before 2:30 a.m., Gresham police say officers responded to the Cleveland Station near Northeast 8th Street and Northeast Cleveland Avenue where a gruesome fight was taking place between two men.
Police say the suspect, 25-year-old Koryn Kraemer, assaulted a 78-year-old man.
According to officers, the 78-year-old man's ear was chewed off, exposing his skull. Police told KOIN 6 that the victim is in stable condition.
Gresham Police Department said officers believe Kraemer identified himself to police under the fictitious name "'El Baker.'" Authorities said they had to lodge Kraemer into jail under that name before identifying him through his fingerprint.
Kraemer faces a second-degree assault charge, officials said.
According to Gresham police, detectives are investigating whether illicit drugs were a factor in the attack.
TriMet issued a statement to KOIN 6 News on Tuesday, calling the incident upsetting and saying they value the safety of its employees and riders "above all." They also stated they will not be commenting on the case as it's currently being investigated.
Full statement:
"It's upsetting to learn that someone was hurt by another person at the Cleveland Ave MAX Station early this morning. The MAX Blue Line was not in service at the time, and it's unclear if the people involved were using the transit system at the time of the incident. We are not commenting on this case, as it is in the very early stages of the investigation. Gresham Police is the lead and may have additional information.
"What happens in the community will at times happen on or near the transit system. As we work to provide safety system-wide, across our 533 square-mile service district stretching across three counties, we also look to our partners for help addressing larger safety and community issues. Transit Police, which is led by Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, work closely with other local law enforcement to investigate criminal activity that spills over onto the transit system and may have more."
This is a developing story and will be updated.