Portland Police Arrest 71-Year-Old Suspect After Man Is Shot and Seriously Injured on MAX Train Overnight

Portland police officers yesterday arrested a 71-year-old man suspected of shooting and seriously injuring a male victim on a MAX light rail train in the Hazelwood Neighborhood.

The incident occurred at 1.03 a.m. on a train that was eastbound on East Burnside Street near Southeast 122nd Avenue.

Tidings Timeline
  • Jan 30 2026 1:03 a.m. : Shooting reported on MAX near SE 122nd and E Burnside.
  • Jan 30 2026 : Officers find victim with leg wound, apply two tourniquets, transport to hospital.
  • Jan 30 2026 : Suspect located walking away, detained on SE 122nd, handgun seized.
  • Jan 30 2026 : Phill booked on attempted murder and assault charges, ECST investigates.

Officers from the East Precinct found a seriously injured male when they arrived on the scene. An officer applied two tourniquets to the victim’s leg before he was transported to the hospital. He is expected to survive his injuries, according to the latest PPB update.

Officers were given a description of the suspect, who was then spotted walking away from the scene. The officer called for backup, and the suspect was detained on Southeast 122nd Avenue.

The suspect was identified as Grover S. Phill, aka Michael Phill (71), and was accompanied by an adult female who was also detained, pending investigation. The officers seized a handgun as evidence.

Phill is booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, the unlawful use of a weapon, a felon in possession of a firearm, and a felon in possession of a restricted weapon (brass knuckles).

Tidings Context
Oregon’s attempt law requires intent and a substantial step toward the crime, so attempted murder charges hinge on evidence of intent plus actions that moved beyond preparation.

The case is under investigation by the Enhanced Community Safety Team (ECST) and anyone with information about the incident should contact [email protected], and reference case number 28628.

Tidings Insight
ECST is Portland Police Bureau’s shootings investigation unit, built to respond quickly to gun violence cases and coordinate evidence, witnesses, and follow up detectives instead of leaving cases to patrol.
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