Stabbing Suspect: 'I Have Anger Issues But I Control Them'

PORTLAND, OR — Community members near Northeast Portland's Buckman Field Park helped direct police to a man accused of stabbing a Benson High School student and threatening others with a knife Thursday afternoon.

Carlos Sebastian Nampula-Cruz, 38, was taken to the Multnomah County Jail on charges of assault and attempted assault. Nampula-Cruz is also being held on a Multnomah County bench warrant issued in July 2017 for failing to appear in court to face previous assault and harassment charges stemming from an incident in May. His bail is set at $265,000.

Just before 2:30 p.m. Feb. 8, both Central and North Precinct officers were dispatched to the intersection of Northeast Glisan Street and Northeast 12th Avenue after witnesses reportedly saw Nampula-Cruz threaten multiple people with a knife, break a car window, then stab a male Benson High School student — who is apparently a stranger to Nampula-Cruz and just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Witnesses were reportedly able to provide 911 dispatchers with Nampula-Cruz's description and location until officers arrived.

Nampula-Cruz was taken into custody without incident a short time later near Northeast 13th Avenue and Northeast Lloyd Boulevard, on the north side of the Banfield Expressway by Holladay Park, police said.

The boy who was stabbed was reportedly taken to hospital for treatment of what was said to be a non-life-threatening injury.

Police will continue to investigate this incident.

Nampula-Cruz previously pleaded not guilty to other assault and harassment charges unrelated to Thursday's incident.

In May, Nampula-Cruz — who is originally from Brazil but now lives transient in Portland — allegedly assaulted a former partner of his and her friend in front of a Shell gas station. Police said Nampula-Cruz rode up to the pair on his bicycle, rammed his partner's male friend, then began pushing and dragging his partner across the gas station lot by her hair — an incident that was seen by at least two witnesses.

During his interview for release Thursday night, Nampula-Cruz reportedly told officers, "I have anger issues but I control them."

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident who has not yet spoken to police is encouraged to call Detective Christopher Traynor at 503-823-0889 (or email Christopher.Traynor@portlandoregon.gov), or Detective Paul Dolbey at 503-823-0451 (Paul.Dolbey@portlandoregon.gov).

Image via Portland Police Bureau