Domestic violence suspect allegedly tried to run from police in Portland high school parking lot

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A man suspected of domestic violence was arrested in the parking lot of a Northeast Portland high school early Friday morning, according to police.

Lawerance O. Fivecoats, 38, was spotted in a car by a Portland police officer around 8:16 a.m. near NE 82nd Avenue. The officer said they recognized it as the suspect vehicle of a domestic violence investigation and the suspect was a “potential danger to the victim.”

According to police, Fivecoats saw the officer and drove into the parking lot of McDaniel High School before parking his car and running toward a golf course off the school’s campus.

“Unfortunately, this was during the time that students were coming to school,” police said. “Officers set up a perimeter around the area, and called in additional resources such as a police drone operator and K9. At the same time, an officer immediately connected with school staff and notified them of the incident.”

In response, Portland police say the high school went into “secure mode,” meaning students could come inside but all outer doors were locked.

Fivecoats was arrested near 2700 NE 77th Place around 9:42 a.m. and booked into the Multnomah County Jail. He faces charges of criminal mischief, second-degree assault, harassment, stalking, coercion, and failure to perform the duties of a driver.

No further details were provided by Portland police.