Investigators identify the suspect as Christopher E. Woods and say the victim’s injuries are no longer considered life-threatening.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police arrested a 51-year-old man Thursday after a 77-year-old was stabbed and robbed in a Safeway restroom on Southeast 122nd Avenue, a busy retail corridor in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood. The attack was reported at 10:05 a.m., and officers took a suspect into custody at 11:40 a.m., police said.
Detectives identified the suspect as Christopher E. Woods of Portland. Officers said TriMet security helped them follow Woods’ movements after he left the store, guiding the search west to Southeast 119th Avenue and Division Street. There, patrol officers detained him and later booked him on suspicion of first-degree assault and first-degree robbery. Police said the victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital with serious injuries that, after treatment, were believed to be non-life-threatening. Detectives said they have no evidence the two men knew each other before the attack.
Police said the robbery happened inside the restroom and escalated to a stabbing, but they did not release information about what was taken, whether a knife was recovered, or if any cash changed hands. The Safeway remained open during the afternoon while detectives processed the scene and interviewed witnesses. Shoppers described a quick lockdown of the restroom area, and employees used in-store announcements to direct customers away from the investigation zone. Officers canvassed nearby businesses for security video that could fill gaps in the timeline between the attack and the arrest.
According to booking information, Woods remained at the Multnomah County Detention Center early Friday. An arraignment was scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday on the assault and robbery allegations. The Major Crimes Unit is leading the case and will present its findings to prosecutors for formal charging decisions. Police encouraged anyone with footage from in or around the store, or along Southeast 122nd Avenue and Division Street, to contact detectives, citing the active nature of the investigation and the potential for additional evidence.
Public records show Woods has prior criminal history in Oregon and California. In 2017, he pleaded no contest to attempted assault and unlawful use of a weapon after a woman was stabbed multiple times on a MAX platform near Lloyd Center. Court records also list a DUII conviction from October 2025 and an open burglary case filed last August. Investigators have not said whether any of those cases influenced how officers approached Thursday’s arrest or whether they expect to review past incidents for similarities.
The Safeway sits at Southeast 122nd Avenue and Powell Boulevard, a crossroads for buses and neighborhood traffic. Midday shoppers and transit riders said officers moved quickly through the area as multiple units converged. One man who had stopped for groceries said he saw police entering with medical gear while store staff guided customers to other aisles. Another shopper, leaving the lot after noon, said tape was still up near a side entrance while detectives spoke with employees.
First-degree assault and first-degree robbery are Measure 11 offenses in Oregon that typically carry mandatory minimum prison terms if convicted. Police did not release the victim’s name, citing medical privacy, and did not provide an update on a possible discharge date. Detectives planned additional interviews and evidence collection Friday. A court appearance for Woods was expected at 2 p.m. Friday, with further updates from police and prosecutors anticipated afterward.
Author note: Last updated January 2, 2026.