PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Three separate shootings in the early hours of Tuesday rocked North Portland, leaving one person dead and another wounded.
The shootings took place over less than three hours. They were on North Albina and Jessup, then another involved a man who showed up with a gunshot wound at the Plaid Pantry on North Marine Drive. The third shooting a North Montana and Failing streets was deadly.
The deadly shooting was the first of the three, happening around 2 a.m. The man was already dead by the time police arrived.
There is a large homeless camp that spans several blocks, with multiple RVs and tents. One camper who declined to go on-camera told KOIN 6 News the victim was a friend of his. He said his friend lived in the RV next to his tent in the alley next to the Interstate 5 overpass. He added he doesn’t know who killed his friend or why it happened.
Neighbors who spoke with KOIN 6 News said they feel unsafe and on edge.
“We love this neighborhood but if things don’t get cleaned up we can’t be here,” said Mitch Hershberger, who heard the gunshots. “It’s not safe.”
Brian Sycamore also heard the shots. “It’s concerning, yeah, something needs to be done about it. I mean, what that is I don’t know.”
The investigation is ongoing. No suspect information is available at this time.
A few hours after the fatal shooting took place, more gunfire was reported just blocks away.
Additional shots were reportedly fired at the 1000 block of North Marine Drive around 4:20 a.m, but police later clarified that a person had apparently been shot somewhere else and stopped at that area. The victim was transported by ambulance to the hospital with what appeared to be a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
Half an hour later, another shooting was called in on North Jessup Street at North Albina Avenue. KOIN 6 News has learned from authorities that a person scared off a car prowler, who may have fired a shot.
KOIN 6 News will have more information as it develops.