An early morning shooting in Portland's Hazelwood neighborhood left a man with life threatening injuries and shut down a busy stretch of East Burnside Street, snarling traffic and MAX service before dawn on Monday.
Officers were called to the intersection of Northeast 148th Avenue and East Burnside Street around 1:40 a.m., where they found an adult man who appeared to have been shot. Paramedics rushed him to a hospital, and police say his injuries are considered life threatening. While investigators went to work, East Burnside and nearby blocks were closed and TriMet service through the area was cut off.
Scene and Investigation
In a press release, the Portland Police Bureau said East Precinct officers arrived to find the wounded man in the intersection and called in Portland Fire and AMR to assist. He was taken by ambulance from the scene, and detectives from the Homicide Unit responded to lead the case.
According to the bureau, East Burnside Street was closed between Northeast 146th and 151st avenues and Northeast 148th was also shut down while investigators processed the scene and collected evidence.
Transit and Neighborhood Impact
Local crews and witnesses described a red pickup truck stopped in the middle of the intersection, with clothing strewn near its rear left tire, as reported by KPTV. Police activity blocked the MAX Blue Line through the area, and TriMet brought in shuttle buses to move riders between Gateway/NE 99th Avenue and East 162nd Avenue until the tracks were cleared.
The intersection stayed taped off to traffic as detectives and crime scene specialists documented the site and gathered physical evidence.
Hazelwood's Recent Violence
Residents in Hazelwood have seen more flashing lights than they would like in recent months, as the neighborhood has dealt with multiple shootings and heavy police response that have rattled a community already worried about safety and reliable transit.
Earlier this year, a high profile incident in the same general area involving federal agents left two people wounded and prompted a federal review, according to the Portland Tribune. Local outlets have tracked fatal and nonfatal shootings in Hazelwood over the past year, fueling frustration and calls for more prevention work.
How To Help
The Portland Police Bureau is asking anyone with information who has not yet talked with investigators to reach out. Tipsters can email [email protected] or call the non emergency line at 503 823 3333 and reference case number PP26 67901.
Investigators say they will share more details when they can and are urging witnesses or anyone who heard or saw something unusual around the time of the shooting to contact them. This story will be updated as officials release additional information.
