Car shot up at Lents gas station

The way this vehicle was riddled with bullets, it’s surprising the driver wasn’t killed …

The stillness of a nippy outer East Portland October evening in the Lents neighborhood is shattered, after a drive-through shooting at the Jackson’s Shell gas station along SE 82^nd Avenue of Roses.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

On the chilly autumn evening of October 15, all was relatively quiet at the intersection of SE 82nd Avenue of Roses and Foster Road – until a silver Subaru sedan drove through the Jackson’s Shell station about 10 p.m. and an occupant opened fire on a white Honda Accord sedan which was stopped at the gas pumps.

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers were dispatched to the “Shots Fired” call at 10:11 p.m.; two East Precinct units rolled up to the scene moments later; three more officers fanned out through the neighborhood looking for the shooter’s car.

Officers retrieve supplies from the back of their cruiser as the shooting investigation begins.

An investigator points out evidence at the gas station to officers.

“Arriving officers learned that a victim was filling up on gas, when a suspect vehicle drove through the south parking lot of the gas station, and fired rounds towards them,” said PPB Public Information Officer Melissa Newhard. “The victim was grazed in the ankle by a bullet; [and because] the victim’s injuries were minor, they were not taken to the hospital.”

An investigator prepares to set out “Evidence Marker #11” at the scene of this, another outer East Portland gun violence incident.

It wasn’t long until a PPB Forensics Division Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) arrived, and well as a detective, who began documenting the scene.

Along with officers, they found at least seven bullet holes in the Honda, including ones in the hood, windshield, front roof line, as well as the driver’s side door, near the handle. They also found bullet holes in a gas pump, and in promotional sign near the vehicle.

A PPB Forensics Division investigator photographs more evidence found at this shooting.

As many as eleven bullet strikes or holes were found at the location.

“The suspect is still outstanding,” Newhard said, “and this is a continuing investigation.”

These are some of the bullet holes that could be seen, photographed from the sidewalk.

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