Man arrested for August Creston-Kenilworth hatchet attack

Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 23, 2023

A man is facing a felony assault charge after a four-month investigation by the Portland Police Bureau into a nighttime “road-rage” hatchet attack, back on August 12 along S.E. Boise Street.

That evening, East Precinct officers were dispatched at 10:58 p.m. to the mid-block of S.E. Boise Street, between 48th and 50th Avenues, to look into a report that a victim had been chased, and attacked, by a man with an axe. Arriving officers did find an adult male victim with a severe left leg laceration; officers applied a tourniquet to control the bleeding, and called for urgent emergency medical assistance.

The victim was transported to the hospital with a serious, but non-life-threatening, injury.

Officers learned that the victim was followed by the suspect after a road rage incident, and the men had been strangers to each other. As it turned out, the hatchet was in the victim’s vehicle – but the suspect grabbed it and swung the hatchet at the victim.

The case was forwarded to the PPB Major Crimes Unit, and a detective was able to develop a suspect from the investigation at the scene.

On December 7th, detectives questioned 32-year-old Joseph Kyren Chastain – and then arrested him. Chastain was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) at 7:12 p.m. the same evening on charges of Assault in the Second Degree – a Class B Felony, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon – a Class C Felony. A search warrant served at the suspect’s home led to the seizure of the hatchet believed used in the attack.

At his arraignment, Chastain learned his bail was set at $15,000, and was held in the MCDC until or unless he makes bail. If you have additional information about this case, and haven’t yet spoken to a police officer about it, please e-mail – crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov – and make reference to Case No. 23-211975.