Man Charged with Felony After Brutal Hatchet Attack in Portland

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – A Portland resident is now facing serious felony charges following a four-month investigation into a horrifying hatchet attack that took place on a late summer night.

The incident occurred on Saturday, August 12th, around 11 p.m., when Portland police officers swiftly responded to a distress call from the 4900 block of Southeast Boise Street. The victim had reported being relentlessly pursued and brutally assaulted by an unidentified suspect wielding an axe.

Unprovoked Assault Leaves Victim Severely Injured

Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered an adult male with a deep laceration on his left leg. Recognizing the severity of the injury, the officers promptly applied a tourniquet to control the bleeding and immediately requested emergency medical services. The victim was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment.

Meanwhile, the assailant had made a swift getaway in a white pickup truck, evading immediate arrest and leaving the victim in a state of shock and pain.

Road Rage Incident Unveils Startling Connection

Following a thorough investigation, law enforcement authorities revealed that the victim had unknowingly been followed by the suspect after a road rage altercation. Astonishingly, the two individuals involved had no prior acquaintance, making the attack all the more alarming.

Further details emerged, indicating that the victim was the rightful owner of the hatchet, the very weapon that was used against him. The assailant had forcibly taken possession of the hatchet during the confrontation and subsequently unleashed a savage assault on the victim, causing severe injury.

Accused Assailant Identified and Apprehended

The suspect responsible for this vicious attack has been identified as 32-year-old Joseph K. Chastain, a resident of Portland. On December 7th, Chastain was taken into custody and booked into a local detention center.

Chastain now faces charges of second-degree assault, reflecting the gravity of the injuries inflicted upon the victim, as well as unlawful use of a weapon, highlighting the dangerous nature of the attack.