Background: The trail where an 82-year-old woman was discovered unconscious in Tigard, Oregon (KGW/YouTube). Inset: Marcellus Ford appears in a virtual court session in Washington County on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025 (KGW/YouTube).
A man has been arrested for allegedly attacking an 82-year-old woman on a trail in Oregon, leaving her unconscious with “serious injuries.”
Marcellus Ford, 18, is currently held in Washington County Jail on charges of second-degree assault, according to court documents. He attended an initial court appearance virtually on Wednesday.
The incident occurred around 6:45 p.m. on Sunday, as the alleged victim was walking along the Fanno Creek Trail in the city when “a younger man began following her,” according to the Tigard Police Department. This individual “suddenly physically attacked her.”
The attacker fled the scene, leaving the woman “unconscious lying on the trail,” as reported by the department. Cyclists found the woman “quickly,” the police stated, and they immediately contacted 911. She was taken to the hospital, where she remained as of Tuesday, the last time police updated her condition.
Preliminary findings suggest the episode was a “random attack,” investigators mentioned. However, police had a clue in the form of a suspect’s photo taken at the Tigard Public Library, located across from the trail, after the incident.
Authorities released the image to the public, seeking assistance in identifying the suspect. Their search soon zeroed in on Ford, leading to his arrest and subsequent incarceration on Tuesday.
“We”d like to thank our partners in the community for their help in quickly identifying him,” police said.
Community members speaking with Portland NBC affiliate KGW said that violent crime is uncommon on the trail.
“I walk it every day, five days a week,” one Tigard resident said. “And I never have really had a problem.”
Another man called the trail “super safe” and “really great” for the city, pointing to a new bridge that was constructed.
“People should get out and enjoy their community,” Darin Swanson added. “And I think that there’s a virtuous cycle there – the more people who do it, the less likely stuff like this is to happen. And if, unfortunately, it does happen, then [they] immediately can help the lady.”
According to the outlet, Ford, who is from Tigard, has a preliminary hearing scheduled for next week.
Tigard is part of the Portland metropolitan area, located about 10 miles southwest of the major city.
