Tactical Team Resolves Incident Peacefully, Arrests Suspect in Attempted Arson
On April 9, 2026, at 1:55 p.m., an incident involving a suspect in crisis unfolded in an apartment in the 4300 block of Southeast Division Street, Portland. Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) responded to a report of smoke emanating from the unit, sparking police involvement due to the potentially dangerous situation.
Tactical Team Resolves Incident Peacefully
Firefighters, upon breaching the apartment door, encountered a suspect armed with an edged weapon. They promptly retreated and alerted the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) for additional support. The firefighters initially detected smoke but confirmed that there was no active fire within the building. As a precaution, several neighboring apartments were evacuated.
Crisis Negotiation and Response
The Portland Police Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) were activated to handle the situation. CNT made multiple attempts to establish communication with the suspect, but these efforts proved unsuccessful. Over the subsequent hours, SERT employed various tools and strategies aimed at resolving the incident without further escalation.
- Use of K9 units
- Communication devices
- Drones for aerial observation
- Deployment of advanced robotics, including the Metro Explosives Disposal Unit’s 4-legged robot
- Application of irritant gases (CS and OC vapor)
Despite these efforts, the suspect remained unresponsive. At approximately 9:46 p.m., the tactical teams made a calculated entry into the apartment. The suspect, identified as Elijah Dickson, age 28, was taken into custody. A knife was found near him at the time of arrest, though it was uncertain if this was the same weapon initially observed by firefighters.
Charges and Investigations
The Portland Fire Investigations Unit, consisting of specially trained fire investigators and a Portland Police detective, also responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. Dickson faced multiple charges, including:
- Attempted Arson in the First Degree
- Criminal Mischief in the First Degree
- Burglary in the First Degree (arrest warrant)
- Unlawful Use of a Weapon
- Assault in the Fourth Degree
Following the incident, traffic on Southeast Division Street resumed as residents were allowed to return to their homes. The effective response from the tactical teams ensured the situation concluded without injury.
