Discover how a former shelter site became the scene of a deadly shooting in outer East Portland …
The Aurora apartment building along SE Stark Street in the Glenfair neighborhood is shown here, as Portland Police homicide detectives investigate a fatal shooting inside the complex. (Photo courtesy KPTV Fox 12 News)
By David F. Ashton
A man died from an apparent gunshot wound inside The Aurora apartments in the Glenfair neighborhood on Monday afternoon, June 8, as Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers and Homicide Unit detectives converged on the “affordable housing” complex on SE Stark Street.
East Precinct officers responded at about 2 p.m. to reports of a shooting at The Aurora, at 16025 SE Stark Street in outer East Portland. When officers entered the building, they came across an adult male dead inside an apartment, having suffered what appeared to be a single gunshot wound. Whoever was responsible had fled before officers arrived, PPB officials reported.
Officers arrive to investigate this fatal shooting on SE Stark Street in in outer East Portland. (Photo courtesy KPTV Fox 12 News)
Many officers respond to shooting call
In all, 17 officers – including East Precinct personnel, command staff, detectives, and criminalists – were on hand to investigate. The Portland Police Bureau’s Mobile Command Unit parked in front of the building, and functioned as a rolling command post, while Homicide Unit detectives went in and out of the building’s access-controlled front doors, processing the interior of the building for evidence ,and interviewing residents and potential witnesses well into the evening hours.
Homicide detectives begin their work inside The Aurora apartments of this fatal shooting. (Courtesy KATU-TV 2 News)
Residents at The Aurora voice ongoing safety concerns
Outside the four-story building, several residents shared with the media that they often felt uneasy about safety at the complex.
The Aurora is an access-controlled property, but one resident told reporters that “some people here let others into the building who don’t belong here”, reflecting worries that unauthorized visitors used the controlled entry system to gain access.
Throughout the afternoon, homicide detectives continue their investigation. (Courtesy KATU-TV 2 News)
The Aurora, which opened in the fall of 2023, features 93 “affordable” apartments. The mixed‑income development primarily serves low- and very-low-income families and individuals, including people transitioning out of homelessness. The complex is owned by the nonprofit Our Just Future, formerly known as Human Solutions.
This East Portland News archive image shows the costly, ill-fated family shelter on its opening day – which, after it was shut down, became the future site of The Aurora apartments.
“Affordable housing” replaces former shuttered shelter building
The property carried a long social‑service history before the current building went up. A homeless family shelter, operated by Our Just Future inside the former Black Cauldron strip club building on the site, opened in February 2016. [CLICK HERE to read our article about the Shelter’s opening ceremony.]
The organization closed the shelter abruptly in February of 2018, after severe water damage and structural failures rendered the old building unsafe for residents.
That structure was later demolished, and the current apartment community – The Aurora – replaced it as part of an “affordable housing” development effort in outer East Portland. It opened in October of 2023. [CLICK HERE to read about the grand opening at The Aurora.]
PPB continues search for suspect and motive
As of the time of this report, the PPB had not released information about a suspect, or a possible motive. The investigation remains active, with homicide detectives continuing to review evidence and to interview those who live or work in the building.
If you have information about this case, and have not talked with police, to submit a tip. The Case No. 26-166292; to submit information, CLICK HERE.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
