PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – After a “worrying spike” in Portland shootings, police say they are “deploying additional resources” this weekend.
COINS 6 reports that within 24 hours – between Thursday and Friday afternoon – seven shootings were reported in Oregon’s largest city. There have been at least 89 shootings in Portland so far this year, killing 21 and killing seven.
At least one person died in the shootings on Thursday and Friday.
Several others had been injured, including a business owner who confronted a suspected burglar and a man who was shot in the leg in a grocery store parking lot on Friday afternoon.
The spike in shootings follows a year of record-breaking homicides in Portland.
In 2021, the city recorded 90 homicides amid a spike in gun violence, surpassing the city’s previous high of 66, set more than three decades ago.
Last year, the number of homicides in Portland surpassed more populous cities like San Francisco and Boston — and more than doubled the number of homicides last year in Seattle, its larger Pacific Northwest neighbor.
Homicides have increased in Portland in recent years. From 2019 to 2020, Portland saw a larger increase in homicides — an 83% increase — than almost all major cities. According to FBI data, nationwide homicides had increased nearly 30% over the same period.
City police and officials say last year’s surge – which disproportionately impacted Portland’s black community – was fueled by gang disputes, drug deals gone awry and disputes among homeless people. In addition, the situation has been exacerbated by the pandemic, economic difficulties and mental crises.
Numerous recent Shots Calls, additional resources to be dedicated to combating gun violence
Portland Police Headquarters – 01/28/22 17:33
Over the past 24 hours, Portland police officers have responded to multiple reports of shootings, and PPB is deploying additional resources this weekend to deal with this worrying spike.
At 7:49 p.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2022, officers from the East Precinct and the Focused Intervention Team (FIT) responded to a gunshot call at the 8000 block of Southeast Ogden Street. They found that no one had been shot; However, one male victim suffered superficial injuries from flying glass when his car was hit by gunfire. No immediate arrests were made. The case is under investigation. (22-25701)
At 10:02 p.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2022, Central Precinct officers at Southeast 22nd Avenue and Southeast Stark Street responded to a gunshot order. Evidence of gunfire was discovered, but no damage and no injuries. One person in the area has been arrested on an unrelated warrant. (22-25784)
At 12:01 a.m. on Friday, January 28, 2022, a North Precinct officer responded to a gun battle at an auto body shop at the 6600 block of Northeast Columbia Boulevard. A business owner confronted a suspected burglar and shot him in the leg. The adult male patient was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The officers seized the weapon used as evidence. So far no charges have been filed. The Enhanced Community Safety Team (ECST) is investigating and working with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office to determine what charges, if any, are appropriate. (22-25878)
At 12:25 a.m. Friday, January 28, 2022, North Precinct officials responded to a report of someone firing outside a convenience store near Northeast 60th Avenue and Northeast Prescott Street. Officers on other calls heard the shots and left. They learned of a suspicious description and direction of travel. Officers located the suspect, Lonnie J. Matos, 39, near Northeast 55th Avenue and Northeast Wygant Street. He and an associate were uncooperative, but officers were able to take them both into custody. A firearm was found nearby (photos). There were no known injuries, but officers found more than 2 dozen cases at the scene. Matos was sent to the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of felony possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, reckless endangerment, first degree criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and threats. (22-25899)
At 2:16 a.m. on Friday, January 28, 2022, Central Precinct officials responded to a report of someone being shot at Northwest 2nd Avenue and Northwest Couch Street. When they arrived they found an adult male with a gunshot wound. Officers administered traumatic first aid to the victim until paramedics arrived to provide medical care. The victim was transported to a hospital. Despite life-saving efforts, the victim died. This was included in a separate press release (22-25959): https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/read.cfm?id=392147
On Friday, January 28, 2022, a victim reported that around 11:18 a.m. on Highway 26 (Sunset Highway) westbound, west of the Zoo interchange, an occupant of another car fired two shots at him. There was property damage to his vehicle, but no injuries. The victim reported that there was “street rage” behavior before the shooting. No immediate arrests were made.
On Friday, January 28, 2022 at 12:45 p.m., an adult male victim was shot in the leg in a grocery store parking lot. He was brought inside, where staff wrapped a belt around his leg as a makeshift tourniquet. A Multnomah County Assemblyman was in the area and was the first to arrive. As an additional life-saving measure, he put on a medical tourniquet. PPB and paramedics arrived and the patient was taken to hospital for treatment of what is believed to be a non-life threatening injury. ECST has responded and is investigating the case. The suspect left and no immediate arrests were made. (PP22-26349)
Any witnesses or anyone with information is encouraged to email crimetips@portlandoregon.gov and provide the relevant case number.
Anonymous tips can be submitted via Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards of up to $2,500 for information reported to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest in an unsolved crime, and tipsters can remain anonymous.
Visit the App Store and download P3 Tips to submit tips securely and anonymously. Online at https://www.p3tips.com/823 Crime Stoppers of Oregon is funded 100% by community donations. To support Crime Stoppers with a donation, please visit http://www.crimestoppersoforegon.com/
To date, there have been a total of 89 shootings in the city of Portland, and 21 people have been injured by gunfire (not including attempted suicide; tally is preliminary and may change as further reports are processed).
This weekend, members of the Enhanced Community Safety Team (ECST) will join the Focused Intervention Team (FIT) to improve PPB response capabilities to gun violence and other public safety incidents. Our goal is to prevent gunfights with highly visible patrols and increase response and investigation resources for any gunfights that happen.
