Portland police officers faced an armed, dangerous suspect in a crowded neighborhood and made a split-second tactical decision that disarmed him without firing a shot—yet the incident now faces scrutiny as a “deadly force event.”
Quick Take
- Armed naked suspect fired at police in Portland’s busy Lloyd District on November 5, 2025
- Officers used a patrol vehicle to strike the suspect, separating him from his handgun
- Portland Police released body camera footage November 19-20, demonstrating transparency and accountability
- Suspect Robert Hatley now faces felony charges; officers’ use of force is under formal investigation
- Incident highlights the challenges officers face responding to armed individuals in mental health crises
Armed Suspect Creates Immediate Threat
On November 5, Portland Police responded to multiple reports of a naked man running through the Lloyd District carrying a handgun. Witnesses told officers the suspect had pointed the gun at his own head and pulled the trigger, but the weapon failed to fire.
When officers located the suspect, he fired a live round before fleeing through the busy neighborhood, forcing officers to make rapid tactical decisions to protect the public and themselves.
Vehicle Strike Achieves Disarmament Without Lethal Force
Rather than engage in a gunfight in a populated area, officers made the tactical decision to use a patrol vehicle to strike the fleeing suspect. The strike knocked the handgun from the suspect’s hands, separating him from the weapon.
The suspect continued running but was ultimately subdued with a TASER and taken into custody. This approach avoided a shootout that could have endangered civilians in the busy Lloyd District.
Transparency Through Body Camera Release
Portland Police released body camera footage on November 19-20, approximately two weeks after the incident. The decision to publicly release the footage demonstrates a commitment to transparency and accountability. The video allows citizens to see exactly what officers faced and the decisions they made under extreme pressure. This level of transparency builds public trust and allows informed discussion about police tactics and use of force policies.
Investigation Proceeds as Officers Face Scrutiny
The Portland Police Bureau is formally reviewing the vehicle strike as a “deadly force event,” though no shots were fired and the suspect survived with treatment at a hospital. Officers Bradley Clarke and Roger Wallace, both nearly 20-year veterans, are subject to the investigation. Suspect Robert Hatley remains in jail pleading not guilty to charges of unlawful use of a weapon and felon in possession of a firearm. The investigation’s outcome will likely influence future police tactics nationwide.
This incident exposes the impossible position officers face when responding to armed individuals experiencing crises. Officers must make split-second decisions with incomplete information, weighing public safety, officer safety, and the suspect’s welfare.
The formal investigation will determine whether the officers’ tactical choice meets departmental and legal standards, but their decision to avoid lethal force while disarming an active threat demonstrates the kind of restraint and quick thinking conservatives should appreciate when law enforcement protects communities effectively.
Sources:
Police release body cam video of arrest of naked man hit by police car
BWC: Ore. police use cruiser to disarm naked suspect, recover handgun from front bumper
