PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The man who died in police custody after being arrested for alleged involvement in a stabbing nearly two weeks ago has been identified, Portland police said.
On Dec. 12, officers originally responded to a report of a stabbing at a convenience store near 1500 North Going Street, where they found an injured man who was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The victim was later treated and released.
The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Matthew Greer, and the 19-year-old victim were “known to each other,” authorities said.
“During the confrontation, the suspect punched the victim in the face, then cut the victim with a knife in the back of his shoulder,” police said. “Following the attacks, the victim threw a battery powered leaf blower, striking the suspect in the back.”
Police said Greer had walked away two blocks and then fell to the ground. A police officer who happened to be in the area saw the man down and went to check on him. He was conscious and breathing at this point. It was only through the course of the investigation that police realized he was the alleged suspect in the stabbing.
Police then handcuffed Greer, with authorities noting that “officers detained the suspect in handcuffs without resistance or force used.” They then "rolled him onto his side to facilitate breathing."
While in custody, Greer lost consciousness. The cuffs were removed and officers requested a medical evaluation, police said.
Despite the officers administering CPR and EMS arriving to take over, Greer died at the scene.
A postmortem exam of Greer completed by the Oregon State Medical Examiner determined there was no indication he died by any outside trauma, according to a PPB.
The officers who detained Greer in the handcuffs - identified as 18-year police force veterans Bradley Clark and Roger Walsh - were placed on administrative leave, but have now been cleared to return to work.
Police say more details will be released as the investigation continues.
