Late Tuesday night, reports of gunfire near Tom McCall Waterfront Park briefly turned Portland’s riverfront from festival backdrop to crime scene, as police and medical crews swarmed Southwest Naito Parkway. Witnesses leaving the nearby Cinco de Mayo Fiesta said they watched the crowd thin out just as officers and emergency responders rushed in.
Officers and medical personnel responded to calls about shots fired at Southwest Naito Parkway and Harvey Milk Street, according to KOIN 6 News. The outlet reported its crew was on scene and that a substantial police presence remained as first responders moved through the area.
The Portland Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at Tom McCall Waterfront Park had wrapped up earlier in the evening, per Portland Cinco de Mayo Fiesta organizers. Even with the official festivities over, plenty of people were still in and around the park when the disturbance was reported.
Police and witnesses
Multiple attendees described seeing medics treating people at the scene and said officers arrived quickly. One person posting on r/Portland reported seeing “at least one person bleeding being treated by EMTs.” Crews stayed in the area as investigators interviewed witnesses and combed the waterfront for evidence.
What officials have not confirmed
As of the initial reports, Portland police had not released information about possible injuries, arrests or a motive. Investigators continued processing the scene into the night, and officials had yet to issue a detailed public statement.
