Gresham Police have made a public appeal for assistance in locating a suspect involved in the fatal shooting of a teenager in Vance Park. According to a news release from the Gresham Oregon government website, on Jan. 23, just after 4 p.m., 17-year-old Jorge Ovidio Mateo Vasquez was tragically shot while playing on a futsal court. The police have identified the suspect as 16-year-old Camerino Vides of Gresham, but efforts to locate him have so far been unsuccessful.
The detectives leading the investigation have distributed photos of Vides and are urging the community to come forward with any information regarding his whereabouts. Given the nature of the crime, authorities have warned that Vides might be armed and are cautioning the public not to approach him. Instead, they are asking that anyone with information to help with locating Vides is asked to call 911 immediately.
In the wake of the shooting that has caused understandable concern among citizens, "I understand that incidents like this can cause fear and uncertainty," Gresham Police Chief Travis Gullberg was quoted in the statement obtained by the City of Gresham. Chief Gullberg has also highlighted the steps the department is taking to tackle gun violence through recent initiatives.
Launched in February, the "Ceasefire Gresham" partnership aims to confront the multifaceted problem of violence head-on. The collaborative effort focuses on addressing the underlying causes of violence by providing resources - such as employment opportunities, conflict resolution, and behavioral health support. This robust approach is the community's answering call to recent violence, aiming to prevent future incidents and promote safety.
