No evidence found at Wilkes ‘Shots Fired’ incident

Some neighbors say they’re sure at least one gun was being fired at this outer East Portland apartment complex …

At the “The 601” apartment complex, a block east of the Wilkes neighborhood in unincorporated Multnomah County, the sound of gunshots drew many officers to the area.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

As tenants settled down for the evening at “The 601” apartment complex on NE 162nd Avenue, some of them reported hearing the not-uncommon sound of gunshots in the parking lot.

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) North Precinct officers were dispatched to the spot, just north of NE Glisan Street, at 10:06 p.m.

One PPB unit after another rolled into or near the complex, until 13 officers had arrived.

Parked on the street, as well as in the apartment complex, officers investigate the reports of gunshots.

“There are shootings around here all the time – not necessarily right here, but close by – so, I know what guns shooting sound like,” resident Willie Platt told East Portland News as he walked out of the complex.

About halfway into the sprawling housing complex, officers look for evidence of shooting.

The officers were gathered about midway in driveway of the three-building apartment complex. Some officers appeared to be looking for evidence, others were speaking with residents.

“Officers responded to the location on reports of shots fired,” confirmed PPB Public Information Officer Derek Carmon.

Investigating the incident, officers speak with residents.

Also dispatched to the location were Portland Fire & Rescue firefighter/paramedics from Rockwood Station 31, and a Battalion Chief; as well as an ambulance. But, after considerable reconnaissance, all of these units eventually left the scene.

“There were no victims, and no evidence found of gunfire,” Carmon told East Portland News. “Some witnesses heard what they thought were gunshots; some thought they heard fireworks.”

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