Gang shootout in Gateway drive-thru

See why witnesses say it’s a miracle that the victims survived – when bullets few at this outer East Portland McDonald’s store …

Coming to the Hazelwood neighborhood, Portland Police Bureau cars search for suspects fleeing from a Gateway fast-food restaurant.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Vehicles were lined up for the drive-thru window during the busiest time of day at the Gateway McDonald’s, between NE Halsey and Weidler streets just west of NE 103rd Place, on the afternoon of April 4.

At 5:21 p.m. that day, a Metro West Ambulance medical transport unit was in the area when gunfire broke out. “The team heard shots being fired, and immediately stopped to help, and to notify dispatchers,” said company spokesperson Jan Lee to reporters.

Police Gang squad members and patrol officers begin their investigation of the shooting crime scene.

“It looked like a shootout like you see on TV,” said Shaniqua Johnson.

“After I got my Big Mac Combo, I pulled out to the street [NE 103rd Place] to eat my dinner,” Johnson told East Portland News, as the police investigation was underway. “Then, ‘bang, bang, bang’ – guys were shooting at each other from across the parking lot and the drive-thru. It was over instantly; the guys scattered. I wouldn’t be surprised if some them [involved] were dead!” Johnson exclaimed.

After the gunfire stopped, a late-model silver Nissan Altima 2.5S Special Edition sedan remained – with the driver’s-side front tire jumped over the drive-through curb, and the driver’s side window shattered.

An AMR ambulance rushes one of the gunshot victims to a hospital.

Personal items are left behind, after two teenagers are wounded by gunfire, and taken to hospitals.

Two of the four individuals reportedly in the Altima, 19-year-old Keita Momadee and 19-year-old Shailene Graham, were both wounded. Ambulances took the pair to area hospitals with what were described as “non-life-threatening injuries”. A purse and cell phone, still plugged in for charging, remained in the passenger’s seat.

Officers corner a suspect along East Burnside Street.

Members of the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Gang Enforcement Team and Gun Task Force rolled to the scene, along with as many as 26 police units that fanned out through the area, looking for suspects.

One area of police activity south of the shooting location was near SE 102^nd Avenue, between East Burnside and SE Ankeny Street, where one of what turned out to be four suspects was located.

Along SE Ankney Street, officers continue looking for suspects.

Near the shot-up car, investigators set out unlit road flares on the parking lot pavement, marking out six 9-mm handgun bullet casings; and, they marked an additional five .40-caliber casings across the parking lot.

At 9:50 p.m. that evening, PPB Public Information Officer Sergeant Greg Stewart said, “Officers have detained four individuals, and are no longer searching the area. The investigation into this incident continues.”

19-year-old Anthony James Gray was arrested, and booked on multiple felony charges. MCDC booking photo

“19-year-old Anthony Gray was detained at the scene and ultimately arrested,” Stewart said.

Records show that Gray was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) at 1:51 a.m. the following morning on six felony charges and four misdemeanors, including Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Loaded Firearm, and Discharging a Firearm in the City Limits.

During his arraignment, Gray alleged in Multnomah County Court that he had been fired upon first by unnamed assailants, before returning fire and running away, court documents show. He remains in custody at Multnomah County Inverness Jail in lieu $40,000 combined bail.

Being held for parole and probation violations is 21-year-old Adriantae Stafford. MCDC booking photo

21-year-old Adriantae Stafford was also booked into MCDC at 1:52 a.m. on April 5 on parole/probation violations. He remains in custody at Inverness Jail

“Two additional individuals were taken to the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Facility – one on a parole/probation violation, and one with a warrant,” Stewart said.

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