Bomb scare closes Powellhurst-Gilbert streets

EXCLUSIVE! See why a section of SE Holgate Boulevard was closed off on Thursday, and the ‘Bomb Squad’ was called out to SE 115th Avenue …

Along SE 115th Avenue, a group gathering around a parked car attracts the attention of police officers.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

For about two hours, on the afternoon of August 15th, SE Holgate Boulevard was closed off either side of 115th Avenue, due to a bomb scare next to the Onnuri Evangelical Church.

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers were dispatched to that location at 5:14 p.m. — a call that the Portland Bureau of Emergency Communication vaguely described as a “Suspicious Subject, Vehicle, or Circumstance”.

A Multnomah County Parole Officer looks carefully in the car, once the driver has been taken into custody.

Arriving, a PPB officer politely, but sternly, warned this reporter back from the yellow police tape – in fact, quite some distance back. “It seems there is a hand grenade there, on [the east side of SE 115th Avenue], and it may be active.”

In addition to six PPB District Officers, members of the Bureau’s Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) were also there, carefully examining the explosive device – at a distance.

A member of the PPB’s Explosive Disposal Unit prepares an EODD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal Disrupter) used to dismantle bombs, from a safe distance.

Here’s how this incident unfolded: “Officers spotted a suspicious vehicle that was parked with one person inside, and several people around it,” began PPB Public Information Manager Mike Benner, after the incident had concluded.

“As officers approached, the individuals outside the vehicle scattered. Officers made contact with the driver, and took him into custody, due to drug paraphernalia spotted in the car,” Benner continued.

After the EDU team member actives the EODD, he takes a photo of the now inert remains of the grenade.

As officers searched the car, they found a hand grenade in the trunk, confirmed Benner.

“As you saw, the EDU came to the scene and disposed of the grenade. It was determined to be inert,” Benner told East Portland News.

Instead of a big explosion when the EODD was triggered, all that was heard was a soft “poof” sound.

Officers look relieved that this grenade didn’t explode, potentially causing serious damage.

“Meantime, the man in custody started acting in a way that it looked like he was overdosing; officers administered Narcan, and he was transported to the hospital for treatment,” concluded Benner.

If you have information, and haven’t yet spoken with police, email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference Case No. 24-204729.

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