Man Wanted for Trying to Shoot Security Officer is Deceased Following Officer Involved Shooting

Portland police say a man wanted in a January 31, 2026 grocery store incident was killed after an officer-involved shooting on February 5 in the Pearl District. The bureau identified the man as 57-year-old Erik D. Sherrer of Portland after notification to his family. (portland.gov (opens in a new tab))

According to the Portland Police Bureau, officers were dispatched to a grocery store in the 1300 block of Northwest Lovejoy Street after a report of a threat with a weapon. Police said the suspect approached two uniformed security officers, falsely claimed to be a U.S. Secret Service agent, pointed a handgun at one of them, and pulled the trigger. The gun did not fire, and the suspect fled with the handgun. (portland.gov (opens in a new tab))

Police said investigators later identified Sherrer and obtained an arrest warrant on charges that included attempted assault in the first degree. On February 5, officers with SERT and the Crisis Negotiation Team served the warrant at an apartment building in the 1600 block of Northwest 14th Avenue. The bureau said officers evacuated residents from the floor, used irritant gas, and then saw Sherrer emerge holding a handgun. (portland.gov (opens in a new tab))

The bureau said two officers discharged their service firearms, Detective Charles Asheim and Officer Dustin Barth. Police said no officers or community members were injured, and Sherrer was later found dead at the scene. A handgun recovered nearby was loaded with a round in the chamber. (portland.gov (opens in a new tab))

Police said the officers are on administrative leave, which the bureau described as standard protocol. The case will go through an internal review and the Police Review Board. When that process is complete, the bureau said investigative files and grand jury transcripts will be posted on its Open Data page. Families dealing with a shooting death often need records fast, including the police report, medical examiner findings, and any witness information. For that reason, wrongful death claims and other civil questions can turn on the first days after the incident. (portland.gov (opens in a new tab))

Sources

1. Man Wanted for Trying to Shoot Security Officer is Deceased Following Officer Involved Shooting (opens in a new tab) - Portland Police Bureau, 2026-02-05