Man murdered at Powellhurst-Gilbert strip club

Officials say they got no help from club patrons to help solve this killing …

The Pallas Gentlemen’s Club is the site of a parking lot murder the left few clues for officials.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Eight days after a deadly shooting in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood along SE Powell Boulevard, there were shots in the night once again – this time, six blocks to the east, at about 12:45 a.m. on October 4.

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct and Gang Enforcement Team (GET) officers converged outside the Pallas Gentlemen’s Club, advertised as “Portland’s Premier Rock N Roll Strip Club”, at 13639 SE Powell Boulevard.

“Officers and medical personnel arrived and located one gunshot victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene,” said PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson.

Police close off the area, as they begin a murder investigation.
The intersection of SE 136^th Avenue and Powell Boulevard was closed down, as officers searched for the gunman. PPB Homicide detectives, Criminalists from the Forensic Evidence Division and the Medical Examiner responded to conduct an investigation into the shooting.

“Patrol and K-9 officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect,” Simpson said.

Two days later, Simpson said, “The victim killed in Saturday morning’s homicide has been identified as 45-year-old Maurice Anthony Gatson.

“The Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy this morning and determined that Gatson was a victim of homicide after being shot multiple times,” Simpson said.

Police say they have few clues to the murder of this man, 45-year-old Maurice Anthony Gatson.

Although the club was relatively busy at the time of the incident, clients and staff apparently saw nothing. “Detectives have little suspect information or motive at this time.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Todd Gradwahl at 503-823-0991, todd.gradwahl@portlandoregon.gov; or, Detective Anthony Merrill at 503-823-4033, anthony.merrill@portlandoregon.gov.

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