A westbound TriMet MAX ride between Portland and Beaverton turned violent Thursday afternoon when a fight on board left one rider stabbed and another pepper‑sprayed. The confrontation unfolded as the train rolled toward the westside and came to a halt in police custody at Sunset Transit Center.
What police say
Beaverton police say officers were dispatched to Sunset Transit Center shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday after reports of a fight on a westbound MAX train. During the altercation, one man was stabbed and another was pepper‑sprayed. The stabbing victim was taken to a hospital and is expected to recover.
Officers arrested the alleged assailant on the platform. He was identified as 27‑year‑old Jesus Verduzco and booked on charges of second‑degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful use of mace, according to KPTV.
Where it happened
The incident ended at Sunset Transit Center, a major westside hub on SW Barnes Road at the Highway 26 / 217 interchange. The station serves TriMet’s Blue and Red MAX lines and features a park‑and‑ride and multiple transfer connections, which helped make it a logical point for officers to intercept the train, according to TriMet.
Charges and investigation
Beaverton police say Verduzco faces the listed criminal charges while detectives work to sort out exactly what led to the onboard fight. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the confrontation to come forward.
People with information are asked to contact Detective Paul Fleckenstein at 503‑526‑2280 or [email protected], as detailed by KPTV.
Why it matters
This latest MAX incident adds to a history of high‑profile violence on the system, including a 2017 knife attack that left two people dead and intensified scrutiny of transit safety. In cases like these, investigators often rely heavily on on‑board surveillance cameras and witness accounts to reconstruct events on moving trains, as previous coverage has shown, according to KNKX.
How riders can help
Police are urging MAX riders who may have recorded the fight or seen it unfold to save any video and share it with detectives. TriMet also asks passengers to report emergencies using the operator intercom or by calling its customer line when it is safe to do so, per TriMet.
