PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) has released body-worn camera footage capturing a violent struggle between officers and a suspect who attempted to grab an officer’s firearm during an arrest late last month. The confrontation, which unfolded in broad daylight, left both officers injured and has since prompted an internal use-of-force investigation.
The incident occurred on the morning of September 27 near Oregon Park, close to Northeast 30th Avenue. Officers Melissa Babasin and David Randall responded to reports of a man hitting passing cars with a red metal pole near Northeast 33rd Avenue over Interstate 84.
The Encounter
According to the footage and police reports, the officers located the suspect — identified as Bo W. Davis, 43 — emerging from a park restroom holding the red pole. When they approached to take him into custody, Davis immediately resisted, leading to a physical altercation.
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The video shows Davis grappling with the officers and attempting to seize Officer Randall’s service weapon from its holster. During the intense struggle, Randall’s body camera was knocked to the ground, but audio continued recording the sounds of the scuffle.
Davis managed to pin Officer Randall at one point, prompting Officer Babasin to deploy her taser, which appeared to have little effect. As she struck Davis in the back of the head with the taser handle in an effort to stop the assault, Davis again reached for Randall’s firearm.
PPB officials said Officer Babasin’s body camera turned off and back on twice during the encounter, likely due to the physical intensity of the fight.
Four-Minute Struggle and Injuries
The struggle lasted more than four minutes, according to police. During that time, Officer Babasin reportedly used a neck hold on Davis to subdue him. While the suspect remained conscious throughout the incident, both officers sustained injuries — one suffered a head wound, and the other injured a hand.
Davis was ultimately restrained and taken into custody once backup officers arrived. He was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation before being booked into the Multnomah County Jail on multiple charges, including attempted murder, robbery, assaulting a police officer, and menacing, along with an outstanding warrant.
No shots were fired during the altercation, authorities confirmed.
Investigation and Administrative Review
In keeping with PPB policy regarding high levels of force, the bureau’s Internal Affairs Division has launched a formal review of the incident. Officials said the use of a neck hold, combined with the level of resistance encountered, triggered mandatory oversight procedures.
Officer Melissa Babasin has been placed on administrative leave, a standard step following incidents involving potentially deadly force. Both she and Officer Randall have been released from the hospital and are recovering at home.
“The officers demonstrated extraordinary restraint in a dangerous and unpredictable situation,” a PPB spokesperson said in a statement. “We are grateful no lives were lost.”
Public Release and Community Transparency
The Portland Police Bureau released the full body-worn camera footage to the public in the interest of transparency. The video shows the confrontation from multiple angles and captures the escalating tension as the officers struggled to regain control.
Authorities have urged anyone with additional information about the incident to contact PPB investigators.
The release of the footage follows increased public scrutiny of police use of force in Portland, where officials have pledged to maintain transparency while ensuring officer and community safety.
Despite the chaos of the encounter, officials emphasized that both officers followed proper communication and coordination protocols under extreme stress — preventing a potentially deadly outcome during one of the city’s most dangerous calls this year.
