Outer East Portland gun violence surges, as they have for weeks. The latest two were in the Hazelwood and Glenfair neighborhoods …
After yet another shooting – this one, a homicide – officers of the law close off neighborhood streets as the investigation gets underway.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Since the elimination of the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Gun Violence Reduction Team squad, shootings – and murders – have soared, unabated, across the neighborhoods of outer East Portland.
August 22:
Hazelwood shooting is a homicide
Available officers, those not called to quell riots and arson, rush into a residential area of the Hazelwood neighborhood, after a man is shot and killed.
After reports of a shooting came in to the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center on early on Saturday morning, August 22, PPB East Precinct officers were dispatched at 12:34 a.m. to SE Main Street, near 139th Avenue.
“Arriving officers they found evidence of gunfire, and a victim who had been shot – and they secured the scene,” related PPB Public Information Officer Sergeant Kevin Allen about this incident.
Soon, a larger area was closed off, a block east of North Powellhurst City Park, as PPB Homicide Division detectives and staff from the Bureaus’ Forensic Division began their investigation and documentation of the crime scene.
The area where this homicide took place is cordoned off by police.
“This shooting resulted in the death of a victim – an adult male – and is being investigated by homicide detectives,” Allen revealed later that day. The identity of the deceased is not being released at this time, he added.
“No arrests have been made; this is an active investigation,” said Allen.
If anyone has information about this case, they’re asked to contact Detective Jennifer Hertzler 503.823.1040 jennifer.hertzler@portlandoregon.gov or Detective Brad Clifton 503.823.0696 brad.clifton@portlandoregon.gov.
August 23
Victim suffers serious injuries in Glenfair shooting
In the parking lot of nondescript apartments along SE Stark Street, officers find a man who’d been shot – and saved his life with emergency first aid before paramedics arrive.
In the darkness of the following night, Sunday, August 23, East Precinct officers were dispatched at 2:54 a.m. to a reported shooting near SE 157th Avenue and Stark Street, in the Glenfair neighborhood.
“When officers arrived, they located a victim with multiple gunshot wounds,” disclosed the PPB’s spokesperson, Sergeant Allen. “The victim, an adult male, was bleeding heavily; officers applied a tourniquet to his left leg before emergency medial first responders arrived and transported him to a hospital by ambulance.”
Paramedic firefighters stand beside the ambulance that will take the badly-wounded shooting victim to a hospital.
He followed up later that day: “The victim remains in the hospital, with life-threatening injuries, after a shooting.”
If anyone has information about this shooting and has not yet spoken to officers, please call 503-823-3333 or e-mail crimetips@portlandoregon.gov, reference Case #20-260179.
August 27:
Shooting murder in Gateway Discovery Park
Just after sunset, gunfire erupts in the Gateway Discover Park and four people are seriously injured.
Back in the Hazelwood neighborhood, PPB East Precinct officers were dispatched at 9:02 p.m. on August 27 to the new Gateway Discover Park, along NE Halsey Street and 105th Avenue.
“Officers found four victims with gunshot wounds; all were transported to area hospitals by ambulance,” PPB Public Information Officer Melissa Newhard reported.
Due to the size of the crime scene, NE Halsey Street was closed from NE 104th to 106th Avenues, and south to Wasco Street.
“Four people had been shot, one of whom did not survive,” reported Newhard.
Killed during this shooting was Jaelin James Scott. Family provided photo
The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Officer determined 16 year old Jaelin James Scott died of a gunshot wound and ruled his death a homicide.
“Three other young adults were shot during the incident and were transported to area hospitals and are expected to survive; the Portland Police Bureau isn’t releasing their names or injuries,” noted Newhard.
Left unsaid was any word about potential suspects, or if there is a continuing danger to the community.
© 2020 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™