Hazelwood man Christian McNeill died after a shooting in the 12400 block of East Burnside, Portland police said. McNeill, 18, was shot to death on December 12, 2021. Officers received the call just after 6:30 p.m. and found McNeill at the scene. The medical examiner ruled it a homicide from a gunshot wound. McNeill’s family provided their sons photo for public release, but they are requesting privacy.
McNeill’s death comes during a year of unprecedented gun violence in Portland. This year, city has documented more than 1,100 shootings and more than 70 homicides, most of which involved a firearm. Portland’s record-breaking homicide figure includes five killings in December alone. At the current rate, the city will surpass 1,200 shootings by the end of the year. In 2019, Portland Police reported less than 400 shootings.
As far as patrolling the city goes, police point to a lack of resources and fewer patrol officers. They also point to overworked homicide detectives that can’t keep up with the caseload. Others point to long-term underinvestment in historically marginalized communities where much of the violence is concentrated. Some describe an escalating conflict between rival gangs fueled by fear and retaliation. No arrests have been made in the McNeill shooting. This case remains under investigation.
