PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Police arrested 3 men and recovered three firearms on the same day that the funeral for a well-known gang member was held.
Corey Hudson and Leonard Brightmon are both being held in the Multnomah County jail on new weapons charges. Both have prior felony convictions on their records. Darry Smalley was booked into the jail on Tuesday but then released.
According to police, officers contacted the trio on February 13 near NE Russell and MLK Jr. Boulevard. When police recovered the weapons, they found all 3 loaded and ready for use.
Earlier in the day was the funeral for Davonte Kerney, a well-known Hoover gang member, according to court documents.
Kerney was murdered in downtown Portland on Jan. 31. His death marked the 6th homicide in January 2018 and the third homicide in 10 days of known gang associates.
Police say it is common for gang members to carry firearms for protection or retaliation while attending, or after, a funeral. Law enforcement learned that Hoovers and their allies were carrying guns and “hunting for” their rivals.
Police recovered a .40 caliber handgun and two 9mm handguns. One of those was reported stolen, according to officials investigating the case against Hudson, Brightmon and Smalley.
“The collaboration between community and law enforcement in the preceding 3 weeks of Operation Safe Winter has removed multiple illegally possessed firearms and likely prevented additional gun violence in our community,” Portland Police Chief Danielle Outlaw said in a prepared statement released Wednesday. “Operation Safe Winter has really set the standard for what is possible when community members and law enforcement come together to impact safety in our community.”
Officers involved in Operation Safe Winter have located and seized 9 handguns and arrested 13 people on various charges during this 5-day mission extension.
Since Monday, January 22, police have removed 27 illegally possessed firearms.