PORTLAND, Ore. — A 38-year-old Portland man is facing serious charges after authorities discovered a viable improvised explosive device (IED) on Interstate 5 late Friday night, June 14. The suspect, identified as Alexander R. Wick, was arrested and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center.
Charges Filed
Wick is facing a stack of felony charges, including:
- Unlawful manufacture of a destructive device
- Possession of a destructive device
- Attempted first-degree arson
- First-degree criminal mischief
- Menacing
- Second-degree disorderly conduct
What Happened on I‑5
According to prosecutors, Wick created a hazardous blockade on southbound I‑5 near the North Failing Street pedestrian bridge. He allegedly threw construction cones and nail-covered boards into active lanes of traffic and placed a large stop sign mounted on a portable stand.
Police say Wick’s actions forced emergency freeway closures, starting around 9:20 p.m. The northbound lanes reopened at 10:17 p.m., and full traffic flow was restored by 10:45 p.m.
Explosives Unit Called In
While responding to the scene, officers found a bucket containing a functioning explosive device. That discovery prompted a large-scale emergency response involving:
- The Metropolitan Explosives Disposal Unit (MEDU)
- Portland Fire Investigations
- The FBI
- The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)
The device was safely neutralized, and no injuries were reported.
The Post Millennial reports:
Wick fled the scene and was taken into custody several days later on June 19, following the execution of a search warrant at his home in the 4700 block of Northeast 15th Avenue in the Sabin Neighborhood involving the use of tactical teams and federal law enforcement agencies. The joint operation was conducted by the FBI, the Portland Police Bureau, the MEDU, the Portland Fire Investigations Unit, Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT), Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
Police have said nothing about Wick’s motives but an investigation by The Post Millennial reveals that Wick, a former USFS forester and data scientist, is a far-left extremist who uses “he/they” pronouns and was recruiting people to attend the “No Kings” protest.
“Come out to ‘No Kings Day’ 6-14,” Wick said in a video posted on the Instagram of Cascadia Codex, a radical climate change business founded by Wick. “He’s [Trump] a fascist ruler and we’re going to get rid of him. 3.5 percent of the population is all it takes to get rid of a fascist ruler.”
Cascadia Carbon describes itself as “a team of passionate and experienced professionals committed to creating innovative market-based solutions for carbon management,” per its website. The company’s accounts on Facebook and Instagram show support for left-wing causes such as Black Lives Matter. The company has also posted anti-Trump and anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) propaganda on its social media pages.
Witnesses Sought
Authorities are still working to piece together the full picture. Investigators say several individuals witnessed the incident or captured it on video but left without sharing footage or providing contact information.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Portland Police Detective Meredith Hopper and reference Case No. 25-158213.
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