Amtrak passenger arrested in Chemult, accused of stabbing fellow rider, waving scissors at others
Barney Lerten
CHEMULT, Ore. (KTVZ) – An Amtrak passenger was arrested on assault and other charges Wednesday night at the Amtrak train station in Chemult, accused of stabbing one man in the face with a knife and waving a pair of scissors at other frightened passengers, one of whom pepper-sprayed him.
Peter Scott Harrison, 67, of Richmond, Calif., remained held without bail at the Klamath County Jail after an initial court appearance Thursday.
Deputies said Harrison struck someone once in the face with a pocket knife, causing minor injury but placing the victim in fear.
“During the incident, Harrison placed eight other passengers in fear for their lives while he was waving (a) pair of scissors,” a deputy wrote in a probable cause statement filed in court.
Klamath County Deputy District Attorney Ted Martin said initial reports indicate Harrison already was exhibiting odd behavior since apparently boarding the southbound train in Portland, such as stabbing a seat cushion.
Martin said Amtrak staff already were planning to remove Harrison at the next stop in Chemult when the stabbing occurred on the moving train around 8:17 pm.
“Somebody pepper-sprayed him, and the Amtrak guys got him and zip-tied him” until the train arrived in Chemult, Martin said. Harrison was arrested by Klamath County deputies around 9:40 p.m.
Court records show Harrison made his first court appearance Thursday afternoon. He’s initially charged with four felonies, one count of second-degree assault and three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, as well as three misdemeanors: two counts of menacing and one of second-degree disorderly conduct.
Martin said those charges could change after he receives an investigative report from Oregon State Police.
Court records show a probable cause hearing has been set for next week and a 12-person jury trial for June 18.