PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland city leaders reacted after a mass shooting Saturday night in Normandale Park killed one person and wounded five others around the same time a protest was taking place.
The shooting happened around 8 p.m., which was around the same time a march protesting the shooting death of Amir Locke, a Black man shot and killed by Minneapolis police, was slated to happen, according to social media announcements.
Earlier that evening, a person was shot and killed by a Portland police officer in SW Portland after officers responded to a disturbance call; no other details were immediately released in that shooting.
In a statement released Sunday night, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said 3 of the people shot were critically wounded:
“While many of the details of last night’s shooting near Normandale Park are unclear, we do know one
thing for sure: Our community is dealing with the sadness of another senseless act of gun violence. It is
this collective sadness and frustration that fuels my commitment to do all that is in my power to reduce
the gun violence that is traumatizing our beloved city.
“I want to thank Police Chief Lovell, the investigators and the officers involved for the careful work they
are doing and recognize the exhaustion they must be experiencing. I am also asking the community to
cooperate with the investigation. We must prevent another tragedy like this from ever happening again.
“My team and I will be briefed regularly on this case and are committed to sharing details as soon as possible.”
Commissioner Carmen Rubio said she was deeply saddened by the violent events:
“We are awaiting more details, but I’m deeply saddened for those affected by last night’s violence. Last night’s violence is a stark reminder that the collective work of government and community groups must get to the root causes of gun violence. We must continue to move the gears toward building a community-centered public safety ecosystem and tackle this issue once and for all. As Parks Commissioner, it is my priority that our parks remain welcoming and safe community spaces.”
Commissioner Mingus Mapps said Portland has a “public safety crisis.” Here is the full statement from his office:
“I am awaiting details about the tragedy at Normandale Park last night. My thoughts are with the victims and the first responders. We have a public safety crisis, and it is affecting everyone.”
Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty said she is waiting for more details to come to light from the shooting, but said that protesting for racial justice should be protected. Hardesty’s office released the following statement:
“This is heartbreaking. I am closely following developments around the violence that took place last night and awaiting more information. My thoughts are with the victims families and loved ones, and all those harmed. While we need more information about what transpired, I can say that protesting for racial justice should never endanger those exercising their 1st amendment rights.”
Commissioner Dan Ryan called attention to gun violence in Portland and called it an “epidemic.” He asked for patience as authorities conduct an investigation. Here is his full statement:
“Last night’s events are a tragedy, and I am praying for every victim and their loved ones. All Portlanders deserve to be safe where they live, work, play, and worship,” said Commissioner Dan Ryan. “Gun violence is an epidemic and our City is struggling to reign it in. 2022 is on pace to exceed 2021’s horrific record, and I worry our community is becoming numb to this unacceptable level of violence. I am awaiting further updates on this situation from Mayor Wheeler and the Portland Police Bureau. For now, I ask everyone to allow the investigation to occur so we can better understand how this happened. I also ask you to show up with kindness and gentleness, to help calm our City, to love your neighbor, and to help Portland be safe for children, elders, and everyone in between.”
In a statement Sunday afternoon, Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt said the weekend shootings “spanned our neighborhoods from East to West.” He also thanked “the people on the front lines” for responding to the shootings and noted it “takes an incredible toll” on first responders.
“As I and everyone in my office work diligently to review the facts and evidence of each shooting, issue charges, and prosecute, we hold two infallible truths closest to our hearts: victims deserve justice and harm cannot and will not go unaccounted for.”
The Portland Police Bureau was scheduled to hold a press conference on Saturday evening shootings, but two minutes into the meeting, apparent protesters at the scene interrupted the conference and it was canceled as a result.