In a violent incident in Portland’s Old Town neighborhood early Sunday morning, a man and a woman sustained serious injuries from gunfire during a large disturbance. The shooting occurred around 2:20 a.m. when Portland Police Officers were monitoring a gathering of approximately 100 individuals at the intersection of Northwest 4th Avenue and Northwest Couch Street.
Upon hearing gunshots, officers swiftly organized a response team to address the unfolding situation. They arrived to find two victims, an adult male and an adult female, suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers administered trauma first aid while managing a crowd of around 50 people attempting to push past them.
A sergeant promptly called for all available police units citywide to respond with lights and sirens. Officers executed a contingency plan to safely transport the male victim to a secure area for emergency medical assistance. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition, with his prognosis currently unknown.
The conscious female victim was also transported to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. Meanwhile, as the situation developed, officers from other precincts were dispatched to Legacy Emanuel Hospital, where a group of 20-30 individuals attempted to enter the emergency room and displayed hostility towards security personnel. Legacy Emanuel Medical Center did not comment but directed inquiries to the police.
The hospital was placed on a Code Silver lockdown as officers worked to deescalate the tensions. The Portland Police Crisis Response Team provided support to the families and friends of the victims. A crime scene was established, and the Enhanced Community Safety Team has initiated an investigation.
A spokesperson for the Portland Police noted that while the group confronting security at the hospital was not involved in the shooting, they were believed to be family or friends of one of the victims. No arrests were made at the hospital.
