Man perishes in Mt. Scott-Arleta shooting

UPDATED | Week #212 Shooting Report | Here’s what’s been revealed about this outer East Portland shooting, right across the street from the Lents neighborhood …

As Portland Police Bureau Homicide Divisions start investigating a deadly shooting along SE 82nd Avenue of Roses at Knight Street, the highway is closed down.

By David F. Ashton

On Thursday, June 27, shots were fired at the intersection at SE 82nd Avenue of Roses and Knight Street – and a man fell, dead, to the pavement.

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers were dispatched at 11:44 p.m. for a “Disturbance” – which soon was updated to a “Shooting” incident.

The PPB’s Mobile Command Unit arrives to serve as headquarters for the investigation.

Arriving officers found the victim. The PPB’s Homicide Division detectives came to investigate – closing off all traffic at that point of SE 82nd Avenue of Roses for several hours.

That investigation and subsequent search did not locate any suspects.

UPDATE

Officials say this man, 30-year-old Hunter Sutherland Lantz Hecker, died as a result of being shot that evening. Family provided photo

On July 10, PPB Public Information Officer Sergeant Kevin Allen revealed that the deceased had been identified as 30-year-old Hunter Sutherland Lantz Hecker, of Portland.

“The medical examiner confirmed that Hecker died of homicide by gunshot and this investigation is open and active; no arrests have been made,” Sergeant Allen added.

Through their attorney, Chris Heywood, the family said they were “shocked” to learn of Hecker’s death and that they are “searching for answers.” In their statement, the family revealed that the shooting occurred after Hecker “and his girlfriend went out to a local bar near their home. Later that evening, Hunter was shot in front of the establishment in a senseless at of violence,” the statement said. “Hunter passed away in the arms of his girlfriend on the sidewalk.”

The statement concluded, “The Hecker family is shocked by the sudden death of Hunter and are searching for answers. At this time, those involved in Hunter’s killing remain at large. We urge any community members with information to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement so those responsible may be brought to justice.”

If you have information about this crime, contact Detective Sean Macomber at Sean.Macomber@police.portlandoregon.gov 503-823-0404 or Detective Eric McDaniel at Eric.McDaniel@police.portlandoregon.gov 503-823-0833. Please make reference to Case No. 24-159685.

Mid-year shooting statistics show improvement
East Portland News asked Sergeant Allen about trends in the shootings so far this year.

“With our standard caveat that these statistics are unverified, and should be considered unofficial until the monthly reports are published, our preliminary count is 437 shootings in the City of Portland reported year-to-date, with 122 people injured by gunfire (not including suicide attempts),” Sergeant Allen said.

“This means that shooting incidents are down by ‘double digits’ from just a year ago,” Sergeant Allen pointed out. For more information, see the PPB’s official “Shooting Incident Statistics” webpage: CLICK HERE.

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While there were other shootings this week, they were outside our coverage area. And so, we end the 212th East Portland News “Weekly Shooting Report”. To find out when, why, and how, these weekly “Shooting Report” articles began, and still continue, CLICK HERE.

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