Here’s why, although officials say the shooting was an accident, folks who live in area say they’re still concerned …
SE Ellis Street is lined with police and medical vehicles, as the shooting investigation gets underway.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
When shots rang out, and police and paramedics raced duplexes near the Lents Neighborhood intersection of SE 87th Avenue and SE Ellis Street, neighbors were concerned.
“The word is that gang members come around houses in that area,” neighbor Sasha Babinski shared with East Portland News, while watching the activity on the outer East Portland neighborhood side street. “We tell our children to stay away from them, and to walk on the other side of the street.”
The first of two ambulances pulls out, transporting a shooting victim to a local hospital.
In addition to the Portland Fire & Rescue Engine 11 firefighter paramedics, an AMR ambulance pulled up to the scene. Then, a second ambulance rolled in among the many police cars that had gathered in the area.
But, this wasn’t a gang shootout, said Portland Police Bureau Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson.
“Officers and medical personnel arrived and did locate two victims, a male and a female,” Simpson said. “They both were suffering from non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. Both were transported to Portland hospitals for medical treatment.”
Police officers confer with paramedics at the scene of this shooting incident, which is now thought to be accidental.
A preliminary investigation indicated that the male was handling a firearm and unintentionally pulled the trigger, injuring both himself and the woman, Simpson later said.
He later added, “Officers have recovered the firearm, and there is no risk to the neighborhood.”
Paramedics treat the other shooting victim, before taking him to the hospital.
© 2013 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
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