A confrontation involving firearms in a Southeast Portland parking lot ended with a dramatic police pursuit, one arrest, and the seizure of multiple guns, including a shotgun.
The incident occurred last Saturday, May 24, when officers from the Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct and K9 Unit responded to reports of shots fired in a parking lot in the 2600 block of Southeast 122nd Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers observed two men who were believed to be involved. One of the men complied with police commands, placed his firearm on the ground, and surrendered without incident. He was detained, and officers seized a tan semiautomatic handgun and a loaded magazine from the scene.
The second suspect fled the area in a white Jeep Cherokee. Although he initially stopped, he then attempted to elude police. Officers pursued the vehicle and quickly executed a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) at Southeast 119th Avenue and Southeast Clinton Street, causing the vehicle to spin and come to a halt.
The suspect fled on foot but was apprehended shortly afterward in the 2400 block of Southeast 117th Avenue. Officers detained him without further incident.
Detectives from the Enhanced Community Safety Team (ECST) responded to investigate. Preliminary findings suggest both men were armed and were seen pointing firearms at one another before police arrived. During the investigation, detectives located and seized a shotgun believed to be connected to the incident.
The suspect who fled in the Jeep was arrested and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center. He faces multiple charges, including attempt to elude police by vehicle, attempt to elude police on foot, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person, interfering with a peace officer, escape in the third degree, and resisting arrest.
The other individual was interviewed and released at the scene. Detectives said further investigation is required to determine who fired a weapon and whether either individual’s actions were criminal in nature.
The Enhanced Community Safety Team continues to investigate.
