Multiple shootings rock outer East Portland

Of the dozen shooting incidents that took place in the last week of 2019, seven of them were in outer East Portland. Understandably, neighbors are concerned …

One after another, the Portland Police Bureau Gun Violence Reduction Team responds to shooting incidents; this one in the Mill Park neighborhood.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

As members of the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) investigated seven shooting incidents between December 28 and January 2 – with no arrests yet made – neighbors near each incident say they’re worried about their safety.

The PPB’s Gun Violence Reduction Team (GVRT) was stretched thin, going from incident to incident in the early hours of New Year’s morning, looking into several of the incidents.

1
Salmon Street shooting in Mill Park sends one to hospital

GVRT investigators look for evidence after a man is shot, not far from David Douglas High School

December 28 at 5:37 p.m. – 12700 Block of SE Salmon Street
PPB East Precinct officers responded to this area, about three blocks west of David Douglas High School campus, on reports of a shooting.

“Officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound; the victim was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The GVRT has responded to investigate – no arrests have been made in connection with this shooting,” said a PPB spokesperson.

2
Second
Mill Park shooting – child remains in vehicle-of-interest

Officers and investigators look for evidence at the scene of another shooting in Mill Park as they inspect this Jaguar sedan.

December 28 at 6:16 p.m. – SE Stark Street at 130th Avenue
After GVRT investigators arrived at that Salmon Street incident, some of the officers moved on to this call, just a few blocks away.

Nine PPB units swarmed the scene, primarily at the Space Age gas station on the southwest corner of the intersection. “An officer in the area heard gunfire, called it in and stopped to investigate,” an officer in the area said.

Little has been revealed about this shooting incident; it remains under investigation.

Across-the-street witness Ennis Marshall told East Portland News, “I was out for a smoke, and heard several ‘Pop, pop, pops’ that sounded like a gun going off – but I couldn’t tell if it was shots between cars, or if someone was shooting at the Jaguar that’s in the gas station,”

Under the canopy of the gas station, officers looked over, inside and in the trunk of the Jaguar sedan parked there. No ambulance was called to that scene; and it didn’t appear that the driver was placed under arrest.

A child [its face is intentionally blurred] sits patiently in a toddler car seat while the investigation continues into this shooting.

An alarming note – a young child was in the Jaguar, as officers continued to examine the parked car.

“There were no injuries,” confirmed PPB Public Information Officer A/Lieutenant Brad Yakots. “But evidence of gunfire – shell casings – were found; investigators are following up.”

3
“Serious injuries” from early
New Year’s Day early morning
shooting on Powell Boulevard

An officer looks for evidence after shots ring out in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood.

January 1, 12:21 a.m. – 12400 block of SE Powell Boulevard
Somewhere near the Powellhurst Tavern and the Lux PDX Hookah & Night Club, in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood.

“One victim suffered a gunshot wound, and was transported to an area hospital; the victim sustained serious injuries, but is expected to survive,” said a PPB spokesperson, adding. “No arrests have been made.”

4
Shooting victim walks in local hospital

January 1 – time and location of shooting unknown
Portland Police officials reported that a shooting victim walked into the Emergency Department of an area hospital. “The location and circumstances of that shooting remain under investigation.”

 

5
Bullets fly at Hazelwood shooting,
but no injuries reported

Numerous bullet-casing markers indicate where the spent shells landed, at this Hazelwood shooting. PPB provided image

January 1 about 3:13 a.m. – 11200 block of SE Division Street
GVRT Investigators recovered dozens of shell casings ejected from multiple firearms, at the scene of an apparent shoot-out.

“Evidence at the scene suggested there were multiple shooters,” a Portland Police official said. “There were more than 40 cartridge casings, and multiple vehicles struck by gunfire which belonged to uninvolved citizens.

“There have been no reported injuries, and no arrests have been made,” the official added.

6
Two wounded in Wilkes
neighborhood shooting

After two people are wounded in this neighborhood, police come to investigate.

January 1 at 3:59 a.m. – 3500 block of NE 148th Avenue
In the Wilkes Community Group neighborhood, arriving officers located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

“Both victims were transported by ambulance to an area hospital; their condition are unknown at this time,” a PPB official reported, adding, “No arrests have been made in connection with this shooting.”

For several hours the PPB GVRT conducted an investigation of this incident, closing down the intersection of NE 148th Avenue and Fremont Street.

7
Gunshot evidence found in Mill Park,
victim walks into hospital

Officers secure the scene of another shooting in the Mill Park neighborhood.

January 2 at 3:19 p.m. – 12600 block of SE Alder Street
Again in the Mill Park neighborhood, just two blocks north of the December 28 shooting on SE Salmon Street, gunshots again rang out.

“Officers, including those with the GVRT, arrived and located evidence of gunfire; officers searched the area, but were unable to locate any victims or suspects,” a police official said.

“Shortly after the shooting, a victim arrived at a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound; the victim’s injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening,” stated the official; adding, “No arrests have been made in connection with this shooting.”

Neighbors watched as officers conducted their investigation. “Did you know there was another shooting – in fact two of them – just a couple of days ago, a couple of blocks away?” asked Bella Orlando of East Portland News.

“I tell you, it ain’t the guns shooting up the neighborhood, it’s gangsters; I think it’s high time [Mayor Ted] Wheeler – he’s the ‘Police Commissioner’, right? – brought back the ‘gang unit’ and get serious about this problem,” Orlando brooded.

Police ask for help in
solving these crimes

Anyone with information about any of these shootings is asked to contact the  Portland Police Bureau’s Tactical Operations Division at 503-823-4106 or email information to GunTaskForce@portlandoregon.gov.

Or, remember that Crime Stoppers of Oregon is offering a minimum of a $250 cash reward to anyone who reports a convicted felon or a juvenile in possession of a firearm, and tipsters can remain anonymous. Submit an anonymous tip call 503-823-HELP (4357) or do it online: CLICK HERE.

© 2020 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™

 

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