PORTLAND, Ore. — A 42-year-old man has been arraigned on multiple charges after allegedly stalking and harassing a former partner, then setting her employer's house on fire.
According to the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, Eric Douglas Alexander was reported by a friend to law enforcement in mid-Oct. 2024 after making "extremely concerning threats" toward a former partner online.
The former partner, who has not been named, had recently moved to Portland from out of state, but Alexander followed her to Oregon. Alexander posted on various social media platforms, the DA's office said, threatening violence toward her, those around her and women in general, continuing even after she stopped communication.
On Nov. 7, shortly after midnight, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) responded to a house fire. The house belonged to the former partner's employer and had two adults, as well as two children, inside. All were asleep when the fire began, but they managed to safely escape, the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office said.
It was determined by investigators a fire had intentionally been set. Later that morning, Alexander also sent an email, stating that he had set the fire "and warned the violence would not stop."
On Wednesday, Alexander was arraigned on multiple charges: second-degree attempted murder constituting domestic violence, four counts of second-degree attempted murder, four counts of first-degree arson, four counts of recklessly endangering another person, two counts of telephonic harassment, two counts of stalking, first-degree criminal mischief and menacing constituting domestic violence.
Alexander pleaded not guilty on all counts, the district attorney's office said.
