Week #218 Shooting Report | INCLUDES INVESTIGATIONAL VIDEO | In the past seven days, a woman and two men were killed with guns. Two of the three homicides took place in outer East Portland …
Portland Police Bureau officers and Homicide Unit detectives use the Bureau’s Mobile Command Center as their temporary office while investigating three East Portland homicides over two days this week.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Last week, deadly shootings, and the arrests of people with guns, picked up again.
This week, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers responded to several “Shots Fired” calls. But more tragically, the PPB Homicide Unit was called to three deadly shootings this week east of the Willamette River. So far, none of the involved killers have been located and arrested.
August 18
Woman killed in Hazelwood neighborhood shooting
At the edge of Gateway Discovery Park in the Hazelwood neighborhood, the PPB’s Mobile Command Center is stationed at the edge of a large homeless camp, while a shooting homicide investigation is underway.
In the wee hours of Sunday morning, August 18, near a large transient encampment on the southwest edge of Gateway Discover Park, shots rang out and a woman fell to the pavement.
PPB East Precinct officers, dispatched to the incident at 2:42 a.m. at the intersection of NE 104th Avenue and Wasco Street, found a dead female victim.
Officers look for evidence on the sidewalk along Gateway Discovery Park.
As PPB Homicide Unit detectives came into the area, NE Wasco Street was closed off between NE 102nd and 106th avenues.
Officials say this woman, Melody A. Rooks, was shot and killed near the a homeless camp in the Gateway district. Family provided photo
On August 19th PPB officials revealed that the homicide victim was 33-year-old Melody A. Rooks. The Medical Examiner determined that Rooks had died of “homicide by gunshot wound”.
So far, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been detained. Rooks is the fourth female homicide victim in Portland this year; but 45 men have died in homicides during 2024.
If you have information about this incident, contact Detective Brian Sims at Brian.Sims@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-2079, or Detective Meghan Burkeen at Meghan.Burkeen@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-2092. Please refer to case number 24-208252.
August 18
Man shot and killed in Buckman neighborhood
Officers and detectives meet at the PPB’s Mobile Command Center to discuss evidence at this shooting scene.
About 19 hours after the Hazelwood shooting homicide, 6.1 miles west of that location gunfire rang out at the intersection of SE Washington Street and 9th Avenue.
When PPB Central Precinct officers arrived at the location shortly after the 10:11 p.m. dispatch, they found a dead male shooting victim. Again, PPB Homicide Unit detectives came to investigate. Later, Portland Police officials tersely stated, “No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been detained.” But the investigation continued.
Law enforcement officers are still looking for the person who killed this man, Donny M. Calabaza. Family provided photo
On August 20th, Portland Police revealed that the victim in this case was 45-year-old Donny M. Calabaza. The Medical Examiner determined Calabaza died of “homicide by gunshot wound”.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Stephen Gandy at stephen.gandy@police.portlandoregon.gov 503 823-0449 or Detective Jeffery Pontius at jeffery.pontius@police.portlandoregon.gov 503-823-0433. Please make reference to Case No. 24-209044.
August 19
Shooting kills man in Powellhurst-Gilbert’s ‘Division Center’
PPB officers, detectives and forensics investigators set up investigation stations in parking lot of The Division Center, when a man dies after being shot in the parking lot.
Shortly after shots were heard on Monday evening, August 19, in the Midway Business District’s The Division Center shopping center, PPB East Precinct officers were dispatched to SE 122nd Avenue and Division Street at 7:35 p.m. The victim was found between the Crunch Fitness and the Grocery Outlet Bargain Market store. What appeared to be his bicycle was leaning up against a building.
“When officers arrived, they located an adult male who had been seriously injured,” a PPB spokesperson told reporters. “Paramedics attempted lifesaving measures, but unfortunately, the man died at the scene.” The body of the dead man lay covered in the driveway as the police investigation began.
This video shows the homicide investigation as it began to unfold:
As for the previous day’s shootings, the PPB’s Homicide Unit once again arrived to assist in the investigation.
Although the crime scene was primarily in front of the shopping center’s “anchor stores”, officers shut down the entire area – including access to nearby fast food restaurants and bars – until late into the evening.
Evidence markers show the location of the man’s belongings, left where they dropped, during the shooting.
Just outside the crime scene, a potential witness is interviewed by an officer.
As for the previous day’s shootings, the PPB’s Homicide Unit responded to investigate.
On August 21st, PPB officials disclosed that the man killed in this incident had been identified as 50-year-old Lorenzo U. Miranda. The Medical Examiner determined Miranda died of “homicide by gunshot wound”.
Officials say this man, Lorenzo U. Miranda was killed in this shooting. Family-provided photo
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Meghan Burkeen at meghan.burkeen@police.portlandoregon.gov 503-823-2092 or Detective Brian Sims at brian.sims@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-2079 and refer to Case No. 24-209869.
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This wraps up our 218th edition of the East Portland News “Weekly Shooting Report”.
To find out when, why, and how, these weekly “Shooting Report” articles began, and why they still continue, CLICK HERE.
© 2024 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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