See why neighbors say it’s a miracle that young children weren’t killed in the hail of bullets …
Minutes after three people were shot in, or near, a Parkrose Heights house, police cars park along NE 111th Avenue just south of SE Knott Street.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
A storm dampened the Parkrose Heights area on the evening of April 16, keeping most people inside, listening to the rain beat down on their roofs and patios.
But, near the intersection of NE 111th Avenue and Knott Street, a more chilling sound ripped through the neighborhood about 9:15 p.m. –gunfire.
Ambulances are directed into the Parkrose United Methodist Church parking lot to tend to gunshot victims.
Within minutes, about 20 Portland Police Bureau (PPB) cars rushed into the area, focusing on a rental house tucked back on a flag lot at 11148 NE Knott Street.
“Officers arrived and located three gunshot victims inside the residence,” PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson revealed.
An AMR ambulance arrives to take one of the wounded to the hospital.
At least one of the gunshot victims was found near NE 111th Avenue and NE Brazee Street, neighbors told East Portland News.
“I’m pretty sure quite a few kids stay in that house,” said Brenda Bonner, a neighbor who watched the commotion from outside the crime scene. “I hope none of them were hurt.”
In fact, Simpson said, six children were in the home at the time of the shooting. “Their ages ranged from 9 days old to 6 years old. None of the children were injured as a result of the shooting.”
Soon after police arrived, three AMR ambulances came into what was now marked off with yellow tape as a crime scene, and paramedics staged in the Parkrose United Methodist Church parking lot.
“48-year-old Monique Shelby and 27-year-old Farah Bertrand were taken to Portland area hospitals for treatment to non-life-threatening gunshot wounds,” Simpson added. “A third victim, 24-year-old Audreanna Young, was treated at the scene by medical personnel.”
Some officers were on the lookout for various vehicles said to be associated with the shooting – primarily, a black Chevy Impala.
Officers and Gang Unit detectives look for evidence at the crime scene.
District officers near the taped-off perimeter said they understood that those who lived in the house had gang ties. “The Gang Enforcement Team responded to conduct an investigation,” Simpson confirmed.
In addition to finding the wounded, Gang Enforcement Team investigators found other evidence of the shooting in the area: Spent 9mm bullet casings, outside the house.
Into the night, the investigation of this shooting continues.
“Gang Enforcement Team reported that an unknown suspect fired multiple rounds into the residence, striking the three victims,” Simpson said the following day. “At this point, there is no suspect information.”
Those with information are asked to contact Detective Meghan Burkeen at (503) 823-2092 or meghan.burkeen@portlandoregon.gov.
© 2014 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News