On Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 8:48 pm., Portland Police were dispatched to Saiint John Street for a report of a man who came outside his apartment and pointed a gun at someone before returning to his apartment. The man was 63 year old Keith Fitzell acording to a press release issued by the Portland Police this afternoon.
Several officers arrived on scene and held a perimeter around the apartment as the Special Reacions and Crisis Negotiation Teams were deployed to assist. While waidting for their arrivals, multiple attemts were made to reach the subject via telehpone and a loudspeaker system.
The SRT arrived on scene and further attempts were made to contact the individual for over two hours by the Crisis Negotiation Team. The SRT held the perimeter while a warrant was written to enter the apartmnt. With no communication, the SRT used noise flash diversionary devices in an atempt to gain the subjects attention. Other non-lethal methods were used to get the suspect to surrender peacefully. Neighbors were told to shelter-in-place.
At 12;24 am on Sunday morning, Fitzell emerged from the building. He was charged with Criminal Threatening with a Dangerous Weapon and Creating a Police Standoff. He also had a warrant out for his arrest for failure to appear. Numerous weapons were located inside of his apartment.