PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — One customer was killed and 2 others hurt when a gunman opened fire into a pizza shop in Northwest Portland in the early hours of Friday morning.
The gunman started shooting through the front entrance of Silver Dollar Pizza at NW 21st and Glisan in Nob Hill around 2 a.m., owner Sam Macbale told KOIN 6 News. He added the shooter — who remains at large — was not inside and was not a customer.
A man, later identified as 34-year-old Jacob Knight-Vasquez, died from a gunshot at the scene, police said. His death was ruled a homicide.
Another man was rushed by ambulance to an area hospital and the third was taken to the hospital in a private car.
Lorrie Rudolph heard the shots. “I heard lots of ammunition,” Rudolph said.
“There was no fight or argument inside the place,” Macbale said. “It was completely out of the blue. A guy was walking by and was shooting, in fact, from this door.”
Those who knew the victim — whose name has not been publicly released – came to leave flowers and grieve. This is the 48th death from gun violence in Portland so far in 2021, by far the most of the 64 homicides in the city.
PPB Sgt. Kevin Allen said the investigation is in the preliminary stages. They’re still searching for the shooter and trying to find a motive.
“We do not believe this was a random act where somebody walked by and started shooting,” Sgt. Allen told KOIN 6 News.
However, PPB said the bureau does not believe Knight-Vasquez was the intended target.
It’s believed the shooter or shooters fled west on Glisan. Investigators are asking businesses and residents in the area to check their surveillance footage to see if anyone has footage of someone walking or driving in that area around 2 a.m. Friday.
Investigators need more evidence to track down who is responsible.
“It weighs on us, it’s a challenge because we’re going to this day after day,” Allens said. “We’re human, too, and we feel it.”
For Macbale, it’s a horrifying reality.
“We have no idea. He was walking by here and started shooting. That’s all we know.”