PORTLAND, Ore. — The deadly stabbing on a MAX train on Friday evening appeared to be an unprovoked attack, according to court documents filed Monday. The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Shondel Larkin, later told Portland police that he heard voices that made him believe the victim posed a threat to him.
Police were called to the 82nd Avenue Transit Station just after 6 p.m. and found the victim, identified as Michael Brady, on the platform with stab wounds to the shoulder, chest and abdomen, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in court. Police, fire crews and American Medical Response personnel attempted life-saving measures, but Brady died of his injuries.
The officers learned that the man reportedly responsible for the stabbing was still inside the train. They entered the train and found him alone, armed with a knife and with what appeared to be bloodstains on his clothes. He was arrested and taken to the Justice Center in downtown Portland.
Police later reviewed surveillance video from inside the train that showed Larkin holding what looked like a knife and stabbing the victim repeatedly and without provocation. Larkin later told investigators during an interview that he had a large butcher-style kitchen knife while he was on the train, according to the affidavit.
Larkin told investigators that he heard voices that made him believe Brady was either going to kill him or give police information about his past, according to the affidavit. The court documents do not mention if drugs were involved in the incident.
Larkin was booked on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon, according to the court documents. He is being held without bail, according to the Multnomah County jail roster.
A public safety assessment report filed in court Monday shows Larkin has a prior criminal record in California, with a conviction for burglary in 2001 and convictions for rape, assault to commit rape and disorderly conduct in 2006.