PORTLAND, Ore. — A white Hyundai was found crashed just after 4 p.m. near Jefferson High and investigators believe that it was involved in the shooting that occurred on Tuesday, according to Portland police.
Detectives with the Portland's Enhanced Community Safety Team found the crashed Hyundai on Northeast Alberta Street between Northeast Vancouver and Williams Avenue. The vehicle was later determined to be stolen, PPB said.
Upon arrival to the crash scene the suspect(s) had fled the scene. Detectives took the vehicle to collect evidence. The Forensic Evidence Division is processing the vehicle for additional trace evidence.
No suspect(s) are in custody and the investigation is still ongoing.
On Tuesday two students were injured during a shooting near Jefferson High School in North Portland, according to a statement from Portland Public Schools.
The shots were fired just before 4 p.m. soon after dismissal time on North Commercial Avenue near Alberta Street. Both students injured are expected to survive, the district said in a statement.
"An investigation led by the Portland Police Bureau is underway and the site is now stabilized," the district added.
According to a statement later released by PPB, officers responded to a 911 call from someone who reported hearing the sound of gunshots, followed by "lots of yelling near the school."
Officers found evidence of shots fired outside of the gym, on the North Commercial Avenue side of the school. PPB said that a male student was shot in the leg outside, then made it to safety inside of the building.
While officers heard reports of a female student who may have been grazed in the hand, investigators were still working to confirm this information on Tuesday night. This seems to have been the second student reported as injured by PPS.
“It’s very concerning when violence like this affects our kids. I’m just grateful there was no loss of life today,” said Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell in a statement. "I know our investigators will continue to review any information and I urge anyone who knows anything to come forward."
Students who were still on campus grounds during the shooting were released to their parents near the Kerby Avenue exit. All students have since been cleared out from campus, PPB said.
"The moment that I came out into the street I hear the pop, pop, pop pop pop," said witness Charles Daniel Coleman, "at first I thought that it was firecrackers but then I could tell by the volume and the staccato beat to it that it was actually gunfire. Plus I saw the children diving into the school, that’s when I knew that there was a shooting going on."
PPB said that both of its gun violence units, the Focused Intervention Team and Enhanced Community Safety Team, responded to investigate. It was a large crime scene, the agency said, and a number of students were in the area when the shooting happened.
Anyone who may have captured the vehicle and its occupant(s) on their phones or home cameras are asked to contact Detective Brian Dale at brian.dale@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0400 and reference case # 22-280110.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov.
If you have any other information regarding this incident you are asked to contact PPB at 503-823-3333 and refer to case # 22-280110.