A Portland man who says he is working on a documentary about homelessness was beaten inside his Northeast Portland apartment and later taken to the hospital after police say a man he had taken in turned on him with a metal rod and other makeshift weapons.
On Monday, Portland police responded to a reported disturbance at 4242 NE Halsey Street in Northeast Portland. According to court documents, cops arrived to find a man, subsequently identified as 31-year-old Keith Jubarey Walker, wielding a rod and approaching another man inside the building. Walker was arrested at the scene and charged with three counts of second-degree assault, three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, burglary, theft, strangulation, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of methamphetamine, according to KATU.
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The victim told investigators that he had been making a documentary about individuals facing homelessness and had let Walker remain in his apartment. He claimed the confrontation began when he asked a woman who was with Walker not to smoke inside. Walker grabbed him in a choking hold, according to court records, and then began striking him with a metal curtain rod while saying, “You know I played baseball, right?” After the rod broke, the victim claimed Walker continued to swing, using particleboard devices and a broomstick, and stole his smartphone. Officers later discovered baggies of methamphetamine, an unloaded firearm, an electronic scale, and empty baggies on Walker, according to KATU.
Charges And Prior Record
Prosecutors studied court documents that show Walker has a past conviction in Fresno, California. In October 2016, he was convicted of felony inflicting bodily harm on a spouse and misdemeanor threatening to terrify. He is currently being jailed without bond as the Multnomah County case progresses.
Risk For Reporters And Documentary Makers
Recently, people photographing Portland’s streets and protests have faced physical threats ranging from shoving to injuries and equipment seizures, resulting in legal battles and public debate. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker has documented multiple incidents in Portland in which journalists and documentarians were pushed, arrested, or injured while reporting heated circumstances.
Legal Implications
A number of felony accusations, some of which could result in severe prison time if convicted, face Walker. The case is under prosecution by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, and the county court docket will post upcoming hearings and filings.
Portland police said the investigation is still ongoing, and prosecutors are pursuing the case. The current filings are the only information officials have provided. If more public records and official pronouncements become available, we will update this story accordingly.
