An extraordinarily busy evening of significant events strained Portland Police Bureau resources over the early weekend. The following is a brief roundup of the events, and is not a comprehensive list of all calls during this time period. All information is preliminary and subject to change as additional investigation is done.
On Friday, April 29, 2022 at 5:01p.m., Central Precinct officers responded to a report of a stolen van located near Southeast 20th Avenue and Southeast Division Street. The van’s driver eventually crashed at Southeast Ash Street and Southeast 26th Avenue, striking two pedestrians, one with life threatening injuries. Multiple suspects ran off into the neighborhood, prompting numerous officers to respond and set up a perimeter to search for them.
At 6:54p.m., North Precinct and East Precinct officers responded to a report of a group throwing objects off the Northeast Glisan Street overpass over Interstate 205, and that a shot had been fired. Portland Police were monitoring a protest “convoy” that was driving through Portland and counterdemonstrators confronting them. Officers determined that the shot fired call was likely related. They did recover evidence of one shot fired, but no known victims. Several officers were required as a group of about 15 people were yelling at and harassing the officers as they conducted the investigation. No immediate arrests were made, but the investigation is continuing.
At 7:48p.m., Central Precinct officers were notified that Oregon State Police (OSP) were pursuing a stolen ambulance into Portland. Several calls came in about the driver of the ambulance driving recklessly, including driving on sidewalks and going the wrong way on some one-way streets. OSP later stopped the vehicle outside of Portland and arrested the suspect. PPB officers assisted by looking for any potential hit and run victims.
At 11:59p.m., East Precinct officers responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Henderson Street. When they arrived they located an adult male with severe injuries. The driver who struck him left the scene and was not immediately located. The victim was transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries. Officers did initial investigation, and the Traffic Investigations Unit will do follow-up.
On Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 12:37a.m., East Precinct officers were dispatched to the 7200 block of Southeast Woodstock Boulevard on a report that someone was shot in or near a convenience store. When officers arrived they found it was actually two shooting victims. Officers applied a tourniquet to stem the bleeding of once victim. Both victims were transported by ambulance to hospitals. Their injuries are non-life threatening. No arrests have been made and no suspect information is being released at this time.
At 1:17a.m., East Precinct officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 00 block of Southeast 127th Avenue. One shooting victim was located and transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests, no suspect information is being released at this time.
At 2:06a.m., East Precinct officers responded to the 14100 block of Southeast Woodward Street on a report of two people shot.
At 2:18a.m., Central Precinct officers responded to a report of a shooting at a bar in the 3200 block of Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard. They located one victim on scene who was transported to the hospital by ambulance. A short time later, another possible victim arrived at a hospital by private vehicle, although it is not clear if he was related to this shooting. A third male was hurt by possible shrapnel and arrived at the hospital by private vehicle. All victims were adult males and their injuries are considered non-life-threatening. No arrests were immediately made, and no suspect information is being released at this time. The Enhanced Community Safety Team responded and is investigating.
At 6:10a.m., North Precinct officers responded to a crash on Northwest St. Helens Road just south of the St. Johns Bridge. One person was killed in the crash, which also knocked down power lines. The Major Crash Team responded and is investigating.
As a result of the extremely heavy call load and series of significant events, all three precincts were placed on high priority (life safety) calls only for various times most of the night. The Portland Police Bureau is aware that many lower priority calls have not gotten a response, and we are grateful for the patience from the community as we work through the calls.
ECST investigators consider all gunfire aimed at Portland community members to be attempted murder cases. Eyewitnesses or video evidence is crucial in solving these cases and these crime victims need people to come forward with any information.
Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards of up to $2,500 cash for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime and tipsters can remain anonymous.
Courtesy of PBB
