Authorities say a man died Saturday afternoon after attempting to harm himself with a knife inside the ticketing area of Portland International Airport.
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Emergency crews were called around 2:30 p.m. after witnesses reported the man cutting himself. According to the Port of Portland, a responding officer deployed a Taser in an attempt to intervene and stop the self-harm. Despite immediate medical efforts, the man could not be revived.
“All efforts were made to stop him, which were ultimately and sadly unsuccessful,” Port of Portland spokesperson Allison Ferré said.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as travelers looked on. One woman preparing to board a flight to Los Angeles said she saw the man with a knife and began recording. Her video shows him injuring himself before officers arrived. The sound of the Taser startled nearby passengers, some of whom initially mistook it for gunfire.
Officials later confirmed no firearms were discharged during the incident. The man collapsed shortly after being tased and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The county medical examiner’s office is investigating, and the man’s identity has not yet been released pending family notification.