The Portland man that prosecutors have accused of stabbing a 77-year-old inside a grocery store bathroom on New Year’s Day was previously convicted of attempted assault after a 2017 stabbing at a MAX stop, court records show.
Christopher E. Woods, 51, is charged with attempted murder, assault and robbery after the Thursday morning attack at a Southeast Portland grocery store, which left an elderly man with serious injuries, police said.
Police haven’t identified the man who was stabbed, but said that the incident happened in the 3500 block of Southeast 122nd Avenue and that the man is expected to survive his injuries.
Nearly a decade before Thursday’s incident, court records show that Woods was accused of stabbing a woman in broad daylight at the MAX stop near Holladay Park, in Portland’s Lloyd district, on May 19, 2017.
A probable cause affidavit in that case states that Woods walked up to the woman as she stood with a group of friends shortly before 4 p.m., and asked her if he could “kick it” with her and her group.
The woman later told police that Woods appeared to be drunk, and that she told him to go away, court records state. Instead, Woods kept intruding into her personal space and used a racial slur while making a derogatory comment about her, court records say.
The woman slapped Woods in response, she told police. The pair got into a scuffle and Woods punched her in the arm,then repeatedly stabbed her in the back and upper arm when she tried to get away, the woman said..
The woman survived her injuries. After a plea deal, Woods was convicted of first-degree attempted assault and unlawful use of a weapon, court records show.
The woman did not reply to a request for comment on Sunday. Woods’ attorney said he had no comment on the previous charges.
In addition to the 2017 stabbing case, Woods was previously convicted of reckless driving, driving under the influence and first-degree burglary in 2025.
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