PORTLAND, Ore. — A 49-year-old man is accused of trying to kill a woman in Southeast Portland by throwing a pipe bomb into her home, allegedly as part of a plot to erase thousands of dollars in drug debt, prosecutors revealed this week.
Alleged Plot to Avoid Debt
According to court records, Travis Parry told investigators he had recently been released from prison and still owed his drug dealer several thousand dollars. To resolve the debt, Parry claimed, the dealer introduced him to a cousin who proposed a deadly solution.
The cousin allegedly told Parry he wanted a woman living in a Southeast Portland house dead, and “cared less about the man” who also resided there. Investigators said Parry was then given a bag containing both a firearm and a pipe bomb to carry out the crime.
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Attack on the Home
Parry admitted to investigators that he went to the house and threw the pipe bomb inside. Prosecutors said the device was intended to kill the female resident and allow Parry to wipe out his drug debt.
Authorities have not released details about the extent of damage to the home or whether the residents were injured during the incident.
Arrest and Charges
Parry was arrested on Sept. 11 and charged in connection with the attempted bombing. He faces multiple counts, including attempted murder and possession of a destructive device.
The probable cause affidavit, filed after his arrest, outlines the alleged chain of events that led to the attack. Prosecutors say Parry’s statements to investigators match details uncovered during the investigation.
Community Concerns
The case has raised new concerns about the intersection of organized crime, drug debt, and violence in Portland neighborhoods. Authorities say the incident highlights how vulnerable people leaving prison can become targets for manipulation and further criminal activity.
Neighbors in the area told local reporters they were shaken by the news of an explosive device being used in a residential neighborhood. “It’s terrifying to think something like this could happen just down the street,” one resident said.
What Comes Next
Parry remains in custody as the case moves forward. Prosecutors have not yet said whether additional arrests are expected in connection with the drug dealer or his cousin, who allegedly supplied the weapon and bomb.
The investigation into the broader network behind the attack is ongoing.
