Portland Woman Fighting for Her Life After Brutal Attack in Old Town Neighborhood

PORTLAND, Ore. — A critically injured woman is fighting for her life in a local Portland hospital after she was brutally attacked with what appears to police to be a blunt instrument.

Suspect Arrested Within Hours of the Attack

The attack took place shortly after 6 p.m. on Friday, and a suspect surrendered to the police at 11.29 p.m., five hours and 22 minutes after Portland Police officers from the Central Precinct were notified of the incident.

The critically injured woman was found lying on a sidewalk in the 700 block of Northwest Naito Parkway in the Old Town Neighborhood. She was attended to by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Portland Fire & Rescue before being transferred by ambulance to the hospital.

The suspect had fled the scene when police arrived, but an investigation quickly revealed that he had run into a nearby apartment.

The police surrounded the building, and the Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) were also called to the scene.

When the police challenged the suspect, 64-year-old Roberto M. Velasquez of Portland, he surrendered at 11:29 p.m. and was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center by 2:42 a.m. on Saturday.

Velasquez is charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, and the unlawful use of a weapon.

The case is under investigation by detectives with the Major Crimes and Homicide Units.

Due to the seriousness of the case, detectives from the Major Crimes and Homicide Units were called in to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Portland Police Bureau.