Oregon Public Broadcasting

Details are emerging about Monday’s fatal police shooting at Portland’s Washington Park.

State medical examiner Dr. Karen Gunson still hasn’t determined the identity of the man. She confirmed he was white, possibly in his late 60s – although she says he showed signs of having lived a very hard life, and might be considerably younger.

Portland Police Chief Rosie Sizer gave a preliminary explanation of the shooting at a morning press conference.

She said Officer Jason Walters responded to a complaint of a man described as a drunken transient harassing people.  Toxicology reports on the suspect are still pending – Gunson says she didn’t smell alcohol on the body. 

Sizer said Walters found the subject at the visitor’s center bathroom at Hoyt Arboretum.

“The officer retreated and gave repeated commands to drop the knife, but the subject refused to do so. The officer and the subject moved away from the bathroom area, with the subject continuing to advance on the officer. Officer Walters fired on the subject," she said.

The Police Bureau is still looking for the three witnesses who left the scene of the shooting.

A grand jury will investigate the incident.

Mayor Sam Adams says transcripts of the grand jury proceedings will be released.

Watch Chief Sizer's Press Conference (Courtesy: Portland Police Bureau)