PPB: Paramedic stabbed during struggle in ambulance

Portland Police Bureau says arrest made after reports of stabbing Monday, Feb. 25 on 5th Avenue.

A man is behind bars — and a paramedic became a patient — after a man tried to force his way inside an ambulance in downtown Portland, police say.

Central Precinct officers responded to reports of a stabbing around 1:10 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 25 at the corner of Southwest 5th Avenue and Sherman Street, according to a news release.

The workers inside the ambulance told police they were stopped at a traffic light when a man who was not a patient allegedly opened the ambulance's door and tried to enter the emergency vehicle. A struggle quickly ensued, and one paramedic was stabbed.

Officers say the paramedic suffered "non-life-threatening injuries, including knife wounds."

"A knife was recovered at the scene," police say. "Officers were told the suspect had run off, but he was soon located nearby and officers arrested him."

The suspect was identified later as 38-year-old Jeremiah James Ray.