‘That’s a lot of blood!’: Mail carrier murdered after dispute over motorcycle parking, allegations of following teen girl, cops say

Chad Westover and Tristan Thomas

Left: Chad Westover (Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office). Right: Tristan Thomas (GoFundMe). Inset: Weapon Westover allegedly used to kill Thomas (Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office).

Authorities in Oregon arrested a 52-year-old man after he allegedly stabbed a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier to death during an altercation at their apartment complex.

It happened around 11:30 a.m. Sept. 21 at the Twin Creek Apartment complex on SE Sunnyside Road in Clackamas, just outside of Portland,  the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday. Paramedics arrived on scene to find Tristan Salvatore Thomas suffering from several stab wounds including a slit across his neck. Paramedics rushed him to the hospital where he died from his injuries on Oct. 3.

The suspect, 52-year-old Chad Michael Westover, was arrested for second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and tampering with physical evidence, deputies say.

More from Law&Crime: Murder suspect back in custody after judge ‘inexplicably’ sets initial bail at $50K, which he posted a day after handyman slaying

According to a 168-page probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, the ordeal actually began earlier in the day when Thomas confronted a neighbor, Christopher Stewart, over the way he parked his motorcycle at the apartment complex where they both lived. Stewart allegedly assaulted Thomas, sending him to the hospital. Deputies did not believe there was enough probable cause for an arrest, the affidavit stated.

After receiving treatment, Thomas returned from the hospital later on in the day. Meanwhile, Stewart and Westover were at a party in the complex hosted by 48-year-old Samantha S. Christensen. At some point, Stewart received a call from his teenage daughter claiming that she was being followed by a “strange man” in the complex, the affidavit said. Stewart, Westover and Christensen left the party to investigate. They reportedly determined the man was Thomas, who was allegedly carrying a butcher knife.

Much of what occurred next was captured by neighbors taking video of the altercation and from Thomas’ calls to 911, authorities said. Deputies did not release footage, but the affidavit included stills.

In the call, Thomas told dispatchers that four people later identified Stewart, the teen daughter, Westover and Christensen were outside of his apartment and he feared for his safety. A video taken by a neighbor allegedly shows Westover say, “If you guys are done filming, I’ll take care of it,” to which Christensen, who is the defendant’s cousin, replies, “I’m done, take care of it, Chad.”

You May Also Like

EXCLUSIVE: Nancy Grace Obtains Video of Suspect Allegedly Transporting Miranda Corsette’s Body

Nancy Grace has exclusively obtained video footage from a neighbor showing suspect…

Teenager, 19, arrives at court where he is charged with murder his father, 57, and trying to murder woman and boy

Subscribe to The Crime Desk, the Mail’s new true crime podcast network.…

Crime lord 'Fat' Tony Mokbel to walk free from jail after 18 years as Lawyer X folly comes home to roost

Melbourne’s most notorious gangster Tony Mokbel is set to walk free from…

Teacher hired high school student to kill her husband, provided ‘down payment’ and details on when kids would be out of the house: Police

Inset: Stephanie Demetrius (Franklin County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The Academy for Urban…