Man dies in river beach shooting

This is what’s been learned about a fight, at Broughton Beach, that turned deadly …

Officers check every vehicle leaving the parking lot, looking for the suspect in this outer East Portland murder, as well as evidence and witnesses.

By David F. Ashton

As the sun went down on June 13, the hottest day of the year so far in outer East Portland, many people gathered along the Columbia River to cool off at Broughton Beach, across NE Marine Drive from Portland International Airport.

“We were gathering up our things, when we heard what sounded like a big firecracker, or maybe a gunshot, a little after 9:00 p.m.,” said park user Bill Sanders. “Then, the police started coming in, and we figured it was a gunshot.”

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officials confirmed that North Precinct officers were dispatched to the beach at 9:24 p.m.,

“Officers located a citizen providing CPR on the injured male; however, despite the attempted life-saving efforts, he was pronounced deceased at the scene,” a police spokesperson said.

Officers and Homicide Division detectives begin their investigation of the crime.

“Investigators learned there was a large group of people gathered at the beach, and a fight had broken out,” the official continued. “During the fight, a subject fired a gun, and struck the male who was later pronounced deceased.”

The suspect fled the area, along with a number of people on the beach.

Police are looking for the person who shot and killed this man, 27-year-old Samuel Fast Buffalo Horse. Family-provided photo

Police officials identified the shooting victim as 27-year-old Samuel Fast Buffalo Horse. Later, the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office determined this to be a “death by homicide: gunshot wound”.

“Investigators believe some people may have fled who could have information or video connected to the incident, and they are asked to contact our homicide detectives,” the spokesperson requested.

Specifically, witnesses are asked to call or email detective Travis Law at (503) 823-0395 or travis.law@portlandoregon.gov or detective Vincent Cui at (503) 823-0049 or Vincent.cui@portlandoregon.gov

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