Portland police reported an early morning shooting Saturday in downtown Portland left at least seven people injured, one of whom has died.
The shooting took place around 2:10 a.m. in the 300 block of Southwest Third Avenue.
Officers from the Central Precinct said they found several people injured when they responded to a call of shots being fired. Police reported an 18-year-old woman who was shot in the altercation had died Saturday morning. Police said there were both male and female victims involved in the shooting, and they do not believe any of the other victims face life-threatening injuries.
Police officers have not arrested any suspects and are not releasing suspect descriptions, though they are urging witnesses to come forward with any information. Detectives working the case believe “many potential witnesses ran off after the shooting.”
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler called the downtown shooting “tragic” and “senseless” during a press conference Saturday.
“Thoughts and prayers aren’t enough. What’s needed is clarity in terms of what resources the Portland Police Bureau needs in the years ahead to address the changing safety needs in our community,” Wheeler said. “That includes clearly identifying the tools, the training and the appropriate number of personnel.”
Wheeler said he would work with the City Council and Portland Police Bureau Chief Chuck Lovell to clarify those needs. Wheeler also promised to increase accountability and trust within Portland’s police force.
Lovell said Saturday that he feels the bureau is “under-resourced.”
“We’ve had many years of growth as a city and a shrinking police department, frankly,” he said. “And I think you can only go so long with that trend until you hit a tipping point.”
Portland has around 800 sworn officers, with many positions open due to a spate of retirements and slowed training as a result of the pandemic.
Shooting incidents in Portland have roughly doubled compared to this time last year, as gun violence has grown across the country.
A second person also died in a separate Portland shooting Saturday. That person died on scene at a shooting in the 11300 block of Northeast Sandy Boulevard.