The Portland community woke up to grim news as authorities reported a fatal stabbing on the historic Steel Bridge. The victim, now identified as 38-year-old Fernando Luis Aguirre, succumbed to injuries inflicted upon him in what the Medical Examiner has ruled a homicide. Aguirre's family has been made aware of the tragedy and are asking for privacy during this trying time, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
The incident quickly escalated from an altercation to a deadly confrontation. Police have now arrested and charged Noor M. Baheej, 31, with Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree. It is believed the suspect and Aguirre were to have been involved in a fight before the stabbing occurred.
Officers were initially called to the scene for an unrelated incident where a man was reportedly threatening another man with a knife. When they arrived at the designated location, the suspect, matching Baheej’s description, was detained shortly thereafter while walking near Northwest 5th Avenue and Northwest Flanders Street. The initial victim of the threats escaped and did not reach out to the police.
The arrest was the product of a vigilant response by local officers who pieced together the events that led to the tragic loss of life. "Officers investigated and determined that the suspect in the case may be connected to the homicide," as per the Portland Police Bureau. After further interviews, Baheej found himself behind bars at the Multnomah County Detention Center. A knife, presumably the weapon used in the fatal stabbing, has been taken into custody as evidence.
This case has not been closed as detectives continue to search for anyone with information regarding the events that transpired on that ill-fated day. The Portland Police Bureau implores anyone with such knowledge to reach out to Detective William Winters or Detective Jason Koenig, regarding case number 24-63876.
