Shootings continue; this week, gunshot victims are found in the Centennial, Powellhurst-Gilbert – and two in the Mt. Scott-Arleta neighborhood …
Week after week, shootings continue in outer East Portland, bringing police officers to investigate.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Bullets on the pavement; people wounded by gunshots – the carnage continues in outer East Portland this week.
And, all of the prevention plans – some with charts and diagrams – created by Portland’s elected officials haven’t yet stopped violent people from continuing to using guns to commit vicious crimes in our area.
In the past week, “Shots Fired” calls numbered 38. Here are the four documented “Shooting – with Weapon” calls, in which people were wounded. The good news: no one was murdered by gunfire this week.
July 26
One person shot in Centennial
Officers investigate another ‘Shots Fired’ call, and find a victim.
This “Shots Fired” call dispatched Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers on July 26 at 11:27 p.m. – sending them to SE Powell Boulevard, on the east edge of the Centennial neighborhood, near 171st Avenue.
Responding officers confirmed that a gun had been fired in the area: they also located a person with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. “Officers provided first aid to the victim until medical personnel arrived; then, that victim was transported to the hospital by ambulance with a non-life threatening injury,” a PPB official revealed.
Officers conducted a preliminary investigation which included searching for the exact crime scene, and documenting any evidence and witness statements. The on-scene supervisor notified the PPB’s Enhanced Community Safety Team (ECST) for follow up.
“There is no suspect information to release,” the PPB’s spokesperson said, adding that this is an ongoing investigation. If you have information about this case, please reference Case No. 21-205485, and e-mail crimetips@portlandoregon.gov.
July 27
One injury and one arrest, in a Mt. Scott-Arleta shooting
Portland Police units focus on a car said to be involved in a Mt. Scott-Arleta shooting incident; the driver fled into Lents.
Not far from the southwestern edge of Mt. Scott City Park, shots were heard early on Sunday, July 27. The 9-1-1 Center received several “Shots Fired” calls from neighbors – and, as it turns out, perhaps also from at least one of the participants.
PPB East Precinct officers were dispatched at 1:11 a.m., and began investigating. They found a vehicle in the area of SE Woodstock Boulevard near 74th Avenue which seemed likely to have been involved in the incident, and attempted to stop it.
The car took off; but, after a short pursuit, the driver stopped near SE 100th Avenue and Henry Street, a block north of Foster Road, in the Lents neighborhood.
Four people ran from the car once it stopped. “Two of the people in the vehicle were taken into custody by officers, the other two fled into the neighborhood, and officers did not find them,” a PPB spokesperson said.
Officers find many bullet casings at the scene of a Mt. Scott-Arleta shooting.
Officers who canvassed the area where the pursuit ended found a firearm. Back at the crime scene, near SE Woodstock Boulevard and 72nd Avenue, other officers found a total of 24 cartridge casings, and learned that at least one car had been struck by gunfire.
The PPB’s ECST investigators came to evaluate the scene and collect evidence.
“Officers realized one of the individuals they’d taken into custody had been shot in the original incident and called for an ambulance; the victim went to the hospital by ambulance with a non-life threatening wound,” a Police Bureau official reported.
18-year-old Tavon M. Wilson isn’t currently charged in a shooting, but he will be called to answer charges of Reckless Driving, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
The other suspect taken into custody was 18-year-old Tavon M. Wilson. Wilson was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center at 3:36 a.m., on the morning of the incident, on charges of Attempt to Elude (Vehicle), Reckless Driving, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
After his arraignment, Wilson was released from custody later, than same day. Release Reason: Pre-Trial Supervision.
If you have information about this case, please reference Case No. 21-205553 and e-mail crimetips@portlandoregon.gov.
July 27
Minutes later, another person is wounded in Powellhurst-Gilbert
After officers secure the area, Portland Fire & Rescue paramedics help a wounded person into an ambulance.
Two minutes after the Mt. Scott-Arleta shooting was dispatched, another call when out to PPB East Precinct officers on Sunday, July 27 – this one at 1:15 a.m., in the Powellhurst-Gilbert area.
During this “Shooting – with Weapon” incident, which sent officers to SE Holgate Boulevard near 108th Avenue, the victim flagged them as soon as they arrived.
“Officers learned that the suspect had already fled,” a PPB spokesperson revealed. “Officers made sure the scene was safe for medical personnel; the victim was then taken to a local hospital by ambulance, with what appeared to be a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.”
While officers secured the crime scene and looked for evidence and witnesses, members of the PPB’s ESCT responded to investigate. “Investigators believe an argument or disturbance may have preceded the shooting,” the PPB official said.
This is an ongoing investigation. If you have information about this incident, please reference Case No. 21-205558 and e-mail crimetips@portlandoregon.gov.
July 30
Man wounded in Mt. Scott-Arleta strip club shootout
All is well at this outer East Portland night club on this summer’s eve, as it typically is; but the night before, a woman started shooting in the club, and continued firing out, into the parking lot.
A shooting incident that started inside the Shimmers Gentlemen’s Club, located in the 8000 Block SE Foster Road early July 30 ended as a shootout between at least two individuals.
PPB East Precinct officers who were dispatched to the area t 2:21 a.m. that morning found a chaotic scene, with people running from the building.
“The incident started with shooting inside the strip club, which spilled out into the parking lot,” said PPB Public Information Officer Sergeant Kevin Allen. “Evidence of gunfire found inside the establishment, in the parking lot, and down the street,” he told East Portland News.
One adult male sustained a non-life threatening bullet wound to the leg, and was taken to a local hospital by ambulance for treatment.
Looking north through the parking lot, it’s littered with spent bullet casings as police begin to investigate this shooting. Image courtesy Fox 12 Oregon TV
Members of the PPB’s ECST came to investigate and sort out the incident including bullet holes found in a residence to the south of the parking lot, on SE Harold Street just east of 80th Avenue.
According to witness accounts, as closing time approached, a female took a pistol out of her brassiere and fired two shots into a restroom door – with several people inside, using the facilities. The woman charged through the club, chasing one or more people, and continued shooting in parking lot. At least one other person was exchanging gunfire with the woman.
A worker at the club told reporters that Shimmers employees frisk males for weapons as they come into the establishment, but not females. Perhaps that policy will change, due to this incident.
As of now, no one has been arrested, and no suspect descriptions have been released.
© 2021 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™