What was supposed to be a quick Facebook Marketplace sale in Northeast Portland turned into an armed robbery Wednesday night, leaving a man in the hospital and police searching for a gunman.
Portland officers responded just after 9 p.m. on June 3 to a report of a shooting in the 9100 block of Northeast Irving Street, according to KATU. Investigators say the victim had arranged to meet someone he connected with on Facebook Marketplace when the deal turned into a robbery and he was shot.
The man was taken to a hospital, and officials say his injuries are not expected to be life threatening. The suspect took off before police arrived. Portland Police assigned the case to the Major Crimes Unit, and no arrests have been reported.
Police Ask For Tips As Investigation Continues
Detectives have not released any suspect description and say the investigation is still active. They are asking anyone with information to email [email protected] and reference case number 26-161558, a contact method the bureau commonly uses to gather leads, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
Police say that anyone with security camera footage, cell phone video or other details from the area around the time of the shooting could help move the case forward.
Marketplace Meetups: Safety Reminders
Violence during online marketplace meetups is not unique to Portland. In one example, a person was wounded during a Facebook Marketplace transaction in Oklahoma City in a case reported by KOCO.
Law enforcement and safety experts routinely push the same basic precautions for in-person sales: meet buyers and sellers in public, well lit places, bring someone with you if possible, avoid carrying large amounts of cash, and use electronic payment methods that offer some degree of buyer protection. Many police and business parking lots are also monitored and can serve as safer meetup spots.
Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit are continuing to follow leads in the Northeast Portland shooting, and the public's tips could be crucial, as reported by KATU.
