The Quality Inn located at the intersection of Northeast Sandy Boulevard and 82nd Avenue is under scrutiny by Portland police due to a troubling rise in crime and recent fatalities. Authorities are focusing their efforts on the hotel, which has been the scene of three fatal shootings within a span of seven weeks, with the most recent incident occurring on New Year’s Eve.
The string of shootings began on November 20, when officers responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 7:15 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered a man injured in the parking lot. He was transported to a hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. The victim was later identified as 43-year-old Kimo A. Henriques from Vancouver.
On December 4, police were called to the same location at 5:15 a.m. for another shooting incident. A few days later, the victim was identified as 45-year-old Benjamin Walker. The medical examiner confirmed that Walker died from a gunshot wound, ruling his death a homicide.
The latest shooting occurred on New Year’s Eve, claiming the life of a man who has yet to be identified. Police received the call just before 5:45 p.m. from the Quality Inn, but no suspects were found at the scene, and no arrests have been made.
Residents in the area along 82nd Avenue have reported that crime is not uncommon, but many have noted an uptick in incidents, particularly at the hotel, following these three shootings in such a short timeframe. Some community members suggest addressing the ongoing criminal activity by collaborating with the city to designate the Quality Inn as a “chronic nuisance property.”
