‘Mentally ill’ man who fatally stabbed Portland father on MAX train sentenced

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man has been found guilty and sentenced for the fatal stabbing of a Portland father on a MAX train, which happened over a year and a half ago.

According to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, 53-year-old Shondel Larkin will serve a lifetime of supervision under the Oregon Psychiatric Security Review Board for the murder of 51-year-old Matthew Brady.

The evening of March 29, 2024, authorities were sent to the reported stabbing inside a MAX train at the Northeast 82nd Avenue Transit Center, where they found Brady on the platform with apparent stab wounds to his shoulder, chest, and abdomen, according to court documents.

Officers attempted life-saving measures before first responders took over; however, Brady died.

Authorities arrested Larkin on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon after finding him alone inside the train with a butcher knife and having blood-stained clothes, court documents said.

Surveillance video from inside the train showed Larkin armed with what appeared to be a knife, was not provoked before repeatedly stabbing the victim multiple times, officials said.

During an interview with authorities, Larkin claimed he had a large butcher-style knife and heard voices that “made him believe the victim was going to kill him, and/or assist law enforcement with providing information related to his past,” according to court documents.

Larkin has had at least one prior felony conviction from California, where he was charged with assault to commit rape in 2006 and a prior violent conviction with a first-degree burglary charge from California in 2001, court documents showed.

Now, the DA’s Office says the Oregon PSRB will decide how long Larkin remains at the State Hospital in Salem and whether he can ever be released.

After Thursday’s sentencing, Senior Deputy District Attorney Sean Hughey — who prosecuted the case — stated the following:

“Michael Brady was a hard-working Portlander going about his daily life: riding the MAX train and planning to return home to his wife and young son. His life was cut short by a man who was dangerously mentally ill and who attacked Mr. Brady without provocation due to the defendant’s delusions. Shondel Larkin will be confined to the Oregon State Hospital, but no legal outcome can restore the extraordinary loss felt by Mr. Brady’s loved ones and community.”

On Oct. 22, 2024, Brady’s family also filed a $1.6 million lawsuit against TriMet for a lack of security that led to his killing. That suit is still active, according to TriMet.

Also in response to the sentencing, TriMet’s Chief Safety and Security Officer, Andrew Wilson, stated:

“Our hearts go out to the family of Michael Brady. While today’s sentencing cannot undo their loss, we appreciate the work of the Multnomah District Attorney’s Office to make sure his assailant does not hurt anyone else. Based on media reports, it appears Shondel Larkin should never have been in Oregon.

We at TriMet will continue working with law enforcement to hold people who commit crimes accountable and with our community partners to address societal issues, such as mental illness and homelessness.”