After weeks of investigation into an October shooting in Southeast Portland, police have arrested a suspect now facing multiple charges, including attempted murder. According to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), 43-year-old Michael Anthony Howard Jr. was taken into custody last Thursday after a search warrant was executed in the Hazelwood Neighborhood. The operation involved the Special Emergency Reaction Team, the Crisis Negotiation Team, and the Air Support Unit.
The shooting occurred on last month, when officers responded to reports of gunfire and found a man with serious but non-life-threatening gunshot wounds in a parking lot. Officers provided first aid before EMS transported the victim to the hospital. Detectives from the Enhanced Community Safety Team (ECST) identified Howard as a suspect during the investigation.
A handgun was recovered during the arrest and is being held as evidence. The investigation remains ongoing. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them by email or anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Oregon, which offers rewards of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest in unsolved felony cases.
The Portland Police Bureau noted that specialized units such as the Focused Intervention Team (FIT) and ECST have contributed to a 47% decrease in shootings this year compared to the average of the past three years. These teams, working with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform through the Portland Ceasefire initiative, continue to focus on reducing gun violence in the community.
The Portland Police Bureau encourages residents to share information, including eyewitness accounts or video evidence, to assist investigations. The public can access gun violence data and updates through the PPB’s online data portal.
