Tyler Chism Murder: Police Release Details

PORTLAND, OR — Tyler Chism was killed by a complete stranger who spontaneously stabbed him in the chest with a hidden cane sword without any apparent provocation. On Monday, when the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office charged Chism's alleged killer, Timothy Carl Cato, it also released details describing the moments preceding Chism's murder.

"Our hearts are broken with the loss of our son," Chism's father Mark wrote in a statement shared by Portland police. "Tyler was a person with disabilities that resulted in many life challenges. He also was a person with gifts of creativity and passion, inspired by art and music.

"His death seems so senseless," Mark continued. "We are deeply grateful for the work of the Portland Police Bureau in identifying the person responsible for his death and their efforts to bring him to justice."

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Patch, Chism was engaged in an argument with his girlfriend on the sidewalk near Northwest Third Avenue and Northwest Everett Street in downtown Portland around 2 a.m. Oct. 25 when the couple was approached by another woman and man, who was later identified as Cato.

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The court document does not indicate the two couples shared any words before Cato suddenly unsheathed a sword from his walking cane and drove the blade into Chism's chest. After allegedly stabbing Chism, Cato returned the sword to its sheath and continued walking down the sidewalk, using the cane for assistance, the affidavit states.

Using video captured on nearby surveillance cameras, detectives watched Cato meet up with his female companion just before the stabbing and walk north toward the parking lot where Chism and his girlfriend were reportedly arguing. Moments later, the video captured Chism stumble into view and collapse on the sidewalk, where he was later found by a Portland police officer.

An interview with the woman seen on the video helped officers positively identify Cato as the alleged murderer. After obtaining a search warrant for Cato's residence on Oct. 26, detectives arrested Cato and reportedly located and seized as evidence the cane sword used to kill Chism.

Now sitting in Multnomah County Jail on charges for murder and unlawful use of a weapon, Cato awaits his arraignment set for Nov. 6 at 9:30 a.m.

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Images via Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County District Attorney's Office