PORTLAND, Ore. — A shocking act of violence on a TriMet MAX platform has landed a Gresham man behind bars after surveillance footage revealed him firing a dart into another rider’s lung with a slingshot.
The Attack
According to a probable cause affidavit, 40-year-old Joseph Naes used a slingshot to fire a 6-inch dart at 33-year-old Logan Sharp on June 17, 2024, at the East 162nd Avenue MAX station.
The dart pierced Sharp’s back and punctured his lung, leaving him with a potentially fatal injury. Prosecutors noted that Sharp “could have died” if he had not received timely medical attention.
Also Read
Adding to the disturbing scene, TriMet video showed Naes celebrating after the attack.
Retaliation From Previous Encounter
Investigators said the incident was not random. Just one week earlier, Naes and Sharp had a tense exchange on the same platform.
According to court documents, Sharp intervened when he saw Naes striking a woman on the head and told him to stop. That confrontation apparently fueled Naes’ decision to launch the retaliatory dart attack days later.
Charges and Guilty Plea
Naes was arrested and charged with multiple offenses. In court, he pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon, and entered a no-contest plea for a fourth-degree assault charge tied to the earlier altercation with the woman.
On August 25, 2025, a Multnomah County judge sentenced Naes to five years and ten months in prison for his actions.
Prosecutors: A Life-Threatening Act
Prosecutors underscored the seriousness of the attack, emphasizing that Naes’ actions could have killed Sharp. The unusual choice of weapon — a slingshot paired with a long steel dart — added to the case’s notoriety.
The court was told that Naes had deliberately armed himself before approaching Sharp on the MAX platform, making the act one of calculated retaliation rather than spontaneous violence.
Broader Safety Concerns
The case has reignited concerns about passenger safety on Portland’s transit system. While TriMet surveillance cameras were crucial in capturing the attack and supporting the prosecution, the brazenness of the crime has alarmed riders and city officials alike.
Authorities say the video evidence proved decisive, showing both the assault itself and Naes’ disturbing celebration afterward.
Justice Served
For Logan Sharp, recovery from the lung injury continues, but prosecutors noted he survived what could have been a fatal wound.
For Naes, the nearly six-year sentence represents accountability for an attack described as both violent and retaliatory.
As TriMet continues to upgrade security measures across its system, officials hope incidents like this remain rare — and that swift justice sends a clear message that violence on public transit will not be tolerated.
