Homeless man paralyzed in shooting, suspect arrested

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Police arrested a man in connection with an early morning shooting at a homeless camp in the West Buckman neighborhood last month.

Muhammad Bilal Rahman, 45, was originally arrested on April 3 and charged with third-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

A grand jury convened and later determined that enough probable cause existed to charge Rahman with one count each of first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The shooting happened in the early morning hours of March 31 near the intersection of Southeast 11^th and Southeast Pine.

The victim had been shot in the back, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by deputy district attorney Melissa A. Marrero. Because of the gunshot wound, the victim is “permanently paralyzed from the waist down and had to have his colon removed.”

Records show the victim and Rahman are known to each other.

It appears there was some sort of fight between Rahman and another person prior to the shooting. The victim “peered his head out of the tent and saw [Rahman] flash a pistol.” When the victim saw the gun, he reportedly told Rahman that he was going to leave because he had nothing to do with the argument between Rahman and the other man.

As the victim turned “to go back into the tent to get his things” he instantly heard a bang and felt pain in his back, according to court documents. The victim then “bolted” from the tent, fell to the ground, saying he could not feel his legs and asked nearby campers to call 911.

Officers who responded to the scene eventually heard the description of the suspect and they recognized it as being Rahman. During a photo lineup, the victim identified Rahman as the shooter.

Rahman was arraigned on Wednesday morning. A trial date has not been set.