PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police are asking the public for any new information relating to the fatal shooting of Michael L. Hart in the Central Eastside district on Dec. 6.
Hart, 49, was also known as "Nomad" and had been camping in a tent, according to a Wednesday news release from the Portland Police Bureau. Investigators would like to speak to any other people living in the area who may have information about Hart or the shooting.
Police also released a picture of a trailer that had been in the area but was moved to an unknown location shortly after the incident. Police believe someone associated with the trailer may be a witness or have information about the homicide.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Joseph Corona at 503-823-0508 or Detective Jennifer Hertzler at 503-823-1040 and reference case number 23-315311.
The shooting prompted a closure of the Eastbank Esplanade while Portland police officers looked for the suspect or suspects. According to initial information from PPB on Dec. 6, there was one confirmed victim tied to the shooting, which happened near where Southeast Madison Street connects with the Eastbank Esplanade.
In a news release later in the afternoon, PPB confirmed a man had died in the shooting, and said the incident happened near the corner of Southeast Main Street and Southeast Water Avenue, one block north of Madison. Officers who responded to the scene at 1:48 p.m. found bystanders performing CPR on the victim, police said, but the man died at the scene despite lifesaving measures from EMS crews.
In a news release the following week, PPB identified Hart as the victim and said his family had been notified. His cause of death was confirmed to be homicide by gunshot wound.
The suspect or suspects left the scene before police were called. Officers searched the area but did not make any immediate arrests. One person was detained during the search, PPB said, but released after he was found to be uninvolved. The surrounding roads and esplanade were open as of 4:45 p.m., according to the updated news release.
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