Bullet rips through East Portland apartment wall

Although this Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood shooting may have just been a blunder, other residents say they’re concerned …

Police arrive at an outer East Portland apartment complex when a bullet fired in one unit penetrates the wall of another.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

A single gunshot rang out, and a bullet ripped through an apartment wall, on the evening of November 24, at the Wetherburne Square Apartments complex at 13210 SE Division Street.

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers were dispatched at 6:51 p.m. to the large apartment complex in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood, when the investigation began.

“Officers surrounded the area, and then determined that the bullet had come from a neighboring apartment,” remarked PPB Public Information Officer Lieutenant Tina Jones, about the incident.

After the shooting is investigated, and no further danger is determined, East Precinct officers begin to leave the scene.

“The involved suspect had left the scene, but returned, and admitted he’d fired off the round; officers seized the firearm believed to be involved,” Jones said.

“I’m glad to hear this wasn’t another gang shooting, or something like that,” resident Javania Jones told East Portland News, as officers began to leave. “But still – bullets going through apartment walls – it’s a frightening thing, especially when you’ve got kids.”

With no reported injuries, and no on-going risk to the community, officers began to stand down and return to their assigned districts.

Officials file two Misdemeanor charges against this man, 32 year-old Randy Lee Aragon. MCDC booking photo

Officers arrested 32 year-old Randy Lee Aragon and booked him into the Multnomah County Detention Center at 9:01 p.m. that evening on charges of Reckless Endangerment and Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm.

At his arraignment before a Multnomah County District Court judge later that evening, Aragon learned he may still face charges, but was set free. Release Reason: “Released on Own Recognizance”.

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