Unceasing gun violence in outer East Portland, this time in Lents, Powellhurst-Gilbert, Madison South, and shootout in Hazelwood all continue to terrorize neighbors and send victims to hospitals …
There’s no sign of all the shootings stopping anytime soon; officers investigate three more outer East Portland gun incidents – with two of them taking place on the same afternoon.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The seemingly unending string of gun violence incidents continue to surge in outer East Portland. But this week, they shifted from taking place in the dead of night, and are now happening in broad daylight.
September 7:
More than two dozen bullets pepper Lents house
SE 99th Avenue is littered with bullet casings, each located with a yellow evidence marker.
Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers were called out at 12:46 p.m. on September 7 to investigate “shots fired” calls on SE 99th Avenue, between Ramona and Reedway Streets.
Because east-west streets in this part of the Lents neighborhood are cut off by I-205, there is no through traffic; the only people who travel the area are neighbors.
It didn’t appear as if there had been any shooting victim at this incident – but, on the west side of the street there was an amazing display of yellow evidence markers, each one marking the location of a spent bullet casing.
An officer looks for more evidence, after this high-volume shooting incident.
“In fact, officers believe at least 28 rounds were fired,” PPB Public Information Officer Sergeant Kevin Allen confirmed to East Portland News.
“No one was injured; but an occupied house was struck by gunfire,” Allen added.
As officers investigated this shooting, neighbors could be seen peering out of their homes’ windows, watching the investigation unfold.
The person who shot up a house, on this otherwise quiet street, remains at large in our community – with a gun, and obviously, lots of bullets.
“This used to be such a quiet, family neighborhood; and I should know, I’ve lived here for 44 years,” Ida Hokanson remarked, shaking her head. “Now, every time there is a shooting nearby – this one was too ‘close for comfort’ – I feel terrorized living in my own house.
“I wonder if the mayor, [Ted Wheeler], and the bunch downtown, would pay for bullet-proof wallpaper – since they say there isn’t a problem with shootings here!” Hokanson remarked to East Portland News.
Who, and why, this part of Lents got shot up is still a mystery. “The suspect is still outstanding,” Sergeant Allen said.
September 7:
Man shot near Earl Boyles Park
Less than three hours after an earlier shooting, about 1.3 miles to the north, officers are again called out to another gun-related incident, this one in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood.
Then, at 3:16 p.m. on Monday afternoon, September 7, PPB East Precinct officers were called to another shooting incident – this one on the northern edge of the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood, in the 3900 block of SE 103rd Avenue, between Francis and Bush Streets, just south of Earl Boyles Park.
“Officers found an adult male who had been shot,” reported PPB Public Information Officer Derek Carmon.
“The victim was transported to an area hospital, with injuries,” Carmon added, offering no comment on the extent of his injuries.
The extent of the injuries of the shooting victim, taken to a hospital via ambulance, remains undisclosed.
While not officially in custody, a man and woman appeared to have been detained, and were sitting on a curb within the “incident containment” area, watching as the investigation got underway.
“It’s good they’ve put in the new park up there – I mean, for families and such – but since then, we’ve had all kinds of trouble that seems to start there, and then comes down our street,” neighbor Charlie Davy told East Portland News. “With the riots and all the shootings, this city I’ve loved for more than 50 years is going to hell.”
In the smoky wildfire haze of the day, officers continue their investigation into the shooting.
It’s unclear if there is a continuing danger to the community. “No arrests have been made,” Officer Carmon said.
September 9:
Man wounded in Madison South neighborhood
NE Russell Street near 85th Avenue is blocked off, as police begin investigating a shooting that apparently took place at another, nearby, location.
Three blocks east of NE 82nd Avenue of Roses along Russell Street, two blocks away from The Lumberyard skate and bike park, East Precinct officers were dispatched to look into a reported shooting on Wednesday, September 9, at 12:50 a.m.
“Officers found an adult male victim with gunshot wounds,” related PPB Public Information Officer Melissa Newhard. “However, the officers then learned the victim was shot at a different location before arriving at on NE Russell Street near 85th Avenue; but the victim was not forthcoming with information regarding the incident.”
Although uncooperative with law enforcement officers, the shooting victim does agree to be taken to a hospital.
In an attempt to provide lifesaving aid, officers put a tourniquet on the victim’s arm before he could be taken to an area hospital by ambulance.
“His medical condition is unknown at this time,” Newhard remarked. “Given the circumstances of the incident, there seems no threat to the community.”
If anyone has information about this, or any of the other shooting incidents, and has not yet been contacted by investigators, they are asked to call the non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.
September 10
Shootout disrupts Hazelwood neighborhood
Although the incident reportedly began here, just east of SE Stark Street on 143rd Avenue, those involved – including officers – ended up two blocks away, northwest of this location.
What started as a shootout in the Hazelwood neighborhood on SE 143rd Avenue, just north of Stark Street, on Thursday, September 10, eventually turned into a two-block incident ending along the TriMet MAX line on East Burnside Street just west of SE 141st Avenue.
East Precinct officers were dispatched to this shooting at 4:07 p.m.
A large law enforcement presence gathers on eastbound East Burnside Street, in front of the Irish Moss Apartments.
“Officers found evidence of gunfire, including an apartment building that was hit by bullets during – what preliminary investigation shows, was – a confrontation that occurred between several subjects,” reported Public Information Officer Melissa Newhard. “The confrontation led to two subjects shooting towards each other.”
One of the subjects involved in the incident walks, in handcuffs, to a squad car seen in the distance.
Fortunately both of the gunmen had poor aim. “No one was struck by gunfire; both subjects who were involved in this incident have been taken into custody,” Newhard said.
“Given the circumstances of the incident, there is no threat to the community.”
However, it’s unclear if either one of the involved subjects was arrested and booked; if they were, their names have yet to be made public.
East Burnside Street remains closed while this shooting investigation continues.
If anyone has information regarding this incident they are asked to contact Detective Bryan Declercque at: Bryan.Declercque@portlandoregon.gov.
© 2020 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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