Here’s why law enforcement swarmed west, into this area of outer East Portland …
An undercover East Multnomah County Gang Enforcement Team unit heads north on NE 102nd Avenue through the Hazelwood neighborhood and the Gateway business district, pursuing a minivan thought to be involved in a Gresham shooting.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
During the evening rush hour on Friday, September 14, motorists, Parkrose Neighborhood Business District pedestrians, and shop keepers witnessed a massive influx of law enforcement officers. Included among them were Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office deputies, the East Multnomah County Gang Enforcement Team (EMGET), the Troutdale Police Department, and Gresham Police.
Westbound traffic slowed to a crawl as drivers gawked at a black Ford Windstar mini van that had jumped the curb and smashed into thick decorative bushes bordering the Best Western Pony Soldier Hotel – with headlights on and engine still running, and officers standing by.
Just west the intersection of NE Portland Highway, Sandy Boulevard, and the I-205 onramp, officers find the empty minivan they’ve been after.
According to GPD spokesperson Officer Ben Costigan, the incident started about 5:15 p.m. when Gresham officers responded to a report of gunshots in the area of NE 188th Avenue and Glisan Street.
“Officers found shell casings at the location,” Costigan confirmed. “During the shooting, three occupied homes and a business were struck. Fortunately, no one was injured.”
MCSO deputies from several jurisdictions converge on the Parkrose neighborhood when suspected gang members run from their escape vehicle.
Witnesses told officers that they believed that a black minivan with tinted windows – and a broken rear window – could be involved, Costigan said.
About 6:30 p.m., officers spotted a van that matched the suspect’s vehicle on NE Halsey Street. After they signaled for it to stop the driver took off, ending up in the crash on NE Sandy Boulevard.
While other officers track down the fleeing suspects, these stand by the black, Ford Windstar minivan – with a broken rear window.
“As the vehicle was headed westbound on Sandy Boulevard, nearing the I-205 onramp, the driver slowed due to traffic; the occupants jumped out of the vehicle while it was still in gear,” a MCSO deputy told East Portland News.
The suspects ran south, crossing all of the Sandy Boulevard traffic lanes, and into the Columbia Pioneer Cemetery, the deputy reported.
Officers set a dragnet from NE 97th to 99th avenues, from NE Wygant Street to Sandy Boulevard, asnd officers cornered and captured two suspects.
MCSO deputies and other police officers close in on the suspects.
Facing multiple felony charges is 18-year-old Ny’Shaun Khalid Edwards. MCDC booking photo
Arrested was 18-year-old Ny’Shaun Khalid Edwards, who was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center at 8:04 a.m. on September 15 on charges of attempted murder, unlawful use of a weapon, attempt elude in a vehicle, attempt elude on foot, reckless driving, and two counts of hit and run.
At his arraignment in Multnomah County District Court, Edwards learned he’d be tried for three felonies and three misdemeanors. He remains in custody at MCDC in lieu of $287,500 combined bail.
Held in jail on a felony gun charge is 18-year-old Niko A. Thomas. MCDC booking photo
The other suspect, 18-year-old Niko A. Thomas, was booked into MCDC at 3:21 a.m. on September 15, charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and a Probation Violation. At his arraignment, Thomas was held, without bail, at Inverness Jail until his case is adjudicated.
© 2018 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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