Man suspected of firebombing Portland police officers arrested for attempted murder

The Portland Police Bureau announced the arrest of 24-year-old Malik Muhammed, who was taken into Indianapolis police custody in a joint effort with the FBI on eight warrants. Muhammed is being charged on a 28-count indictment that includes: first- and second-degree attempted murder, attempted aggravated murder, unlawful manufacture of a destructive device, and unlawful use of a weapon.

"I am grateful to the investigators who spent many hours over the last few months following up these violent attacks against police officers and the community," Police Bureau Chief Chuck Lovell said in a statement. "I am also grateful to the brave officers who put themselves in harm's way serving this community. More investigations are underway. Anyone who thinks they can get away with trying to murder police officers and destroy this city should think again."

According to the Portland Police Bureau, On Sept. 21, Malik Muhammed allegedly threw an incendiary device that failed to explode at police officers at the Penumbra Kelly Building. Both Portland Police and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Department operate out of The Penumbra Kelly Building.

On Sept. 23, Muhammed allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail that scorched the uniform of a police officer in response to prosecutors failing to charge Louisville police officers in the Breonna Taylor case. On Oct. 11, Muhammed shattered and vandalized windows in downtown Portland which included the Historical Portland Society—causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage, said the PPB in a statement.

The IndyStar reported that Malik Muhammed was a prominent activist in Indianapolis and allegedly organized peaceful marches during the height of Black Lives Matter protests last summer. Muhammed is currently awaiting extradition to Portland, OR.