PORTLAND, Ore. — Three people are dead after a violent weekend in the Rose City, with four shootings since Friday hitting many corners of Portland in just over 24 hours.
The first of the four reported shootings happened Friday just before midnight off Northwest 3rd Avenue and Everett Street, in the heart of Old Town. A man was shot and later died in the hospital after doctors tried for two hours to save him, according to police. The suspect has not been found.
“You got to be careful out here. At any minute something could go down,” said Ceasar, who lives nearby.
Four hours later in North Portland, a 16-year-old boy was shot and injured while sitting in a car off North Newman Avenue. His injuries are non-life threatening, police said.
Just before midnight on Saturday, police responded to another shooting off Northeast 82nd Avenue and Beech Street. Officers found a man who was shot and killed in a motel parking lot. The suspect is still on the run.
Early Sunday around 1 a.m., dozens of shots were fired, killing a man in Portland’s Central Eastside off Southeast 9th Avenue and Ankeny Street, police said. A 17-year-old boy was also injured and numerous parked cars were also hit. It appears it was a drive-by shooting targeting a group on the sidewalk, police said. No arrests have been made in that case either.
“Yeah, it’s really sad. I’m sad to hear that happened on our street,” said Madrone, who works at Hedgerow Herb Co. about a block away from where the deadly shooting happened.
“Its terrible. Guns freak me out,” said co-worker Tessa. Their business just moved into the neighborhood about two months ago. “There’s always people around and I’ve always felt really safe."
This violent weekend brings Portland’s homicide count up to 37 so far this year, compared to 46 this time last year, according to a KGW analysis.
The shootings come as Portland police are about two months into their new plan for preventing summer shootings. Portland Police Chief Bob Day and Mayor Ted Wheeler made that announcement at a press conference in May. “We’re committed this summer to continue our emphasis around life safety,” Chief Day said.
As part of that life safety work, more police officers are on the streets working longer hours this summer and the city is putting more money toward gun violence prevention.
There have been no arrests in any of the shootings that happened over the holiday weekend. Anyone with information is asked to contact Portland police.