PORTLAND, Ore. – The surge of gang-related violence in Portland continues, with a surge of five shootings in less than two days. Three occurred on Tuesday, while two happened on Monday, police said.
Here's a chronology of the locations and times that police are currently investigating
· 3:15PM MONDAY – 122nd Avenue & Ankeny Street
· 6:30PM MONDAY – 11th Avenue & Holladay Street (Holladay Park)
· 12:44AM TUESDAY – NE 82nd Avenue
· 5:15PM TUESDAY – SE 108 Avenue & Powell Boulevard
· 9:45PM TUESDAY – NE Sacramento & Rodney Avenue
The latest one occurred in Northeast Portland's Eliot neighborhood Tuesday evening when police responded to a report of a drive-by shooting. Witnesses described a white American-model car drive by and an occupant fire multiple shots. Police said that they were unable to locate any victims or damage but could confirm evidence of gunfire at the scene.
Around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to reports of the occupants of one car shot at another car, according to Sgt. Pete Simpson of Portland police.
Witnesses said the cars left in various directions and the occupants appeared to be African-American men in their 20s. No victims were found.
Earlier Tuesday, a man was arrested in connection with a gang-related shooting on Northeast 81st Avenue. Adyia Thomas Graham, 23, was allegedly one of the men who fired shots outside of a bar around 12:45 a.m.
Four vehicles sped away from the shooting scene and police chased down a silver Nissan Altima. Graham, a known gang member who was a passenger in that car, ran away on foot and was tracked down by officers and a K-9 unit.
On Monday night, there were two other gang-related shootings, one in outer Southeast Portland and one near the Lloyd Center.
This week's shootings bring the total number of gang-related incidents citywide to 63 this year. That's up from 48 this time last year.
According to Sgt. Simpson, it's hard to compare this year to the 1990s when Portland's population was lower but gang violence was relatively higher. Still, 2015 could be on track to see the highest number of gang-related incidents in recent history.
"It's definitely very busy right now," Simpson said.
Gang enforcement officers are currently investigating several gang-related shootings citywide. Police asked anyone with information about gang activity was asked to call the tactical operations division at 503-823-4106.
