PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A woman was shot to death late Saturday night just north of Reed College in a crime that has shaken the residents in the Southeast Portland neighborhood.
The shooting happened around 11:25 p.m. at the Wimbledon Square and Gardens apartment complex in the 2800 block of SE Colt Drive.
Jamie Bridenbaker and Dustin Olson were inside their Reed neighborhood apartment when they heard a rapid succession of gunshots.
“It was a pop-pop-pop, like 3 right in a row. And we just got right up and then there were 2 more before we could get out,” Olson said. “Jamie went straight to see if she could help. I made sure the girls were OK.”
Bridenbaker rushed out and held the woman’s hand as she died. She said the woman was a mother of 2 young children but didn’t say anything to her.
“She couldn’t talk,” she told KOIN 6 News.
Bridenbaker and Olson didn’t know her name but said she was always polite.
Authorities said the woman was dead when they arrived. But Bridenbaker said she was not and wishes more was done.
“When I got out there she still had a little bit of a pulse. There was 2 people on the phone with 911. We thought ambulances were coming, police pulled in, I didn’t see a single ambulance,” she said. “That’s what’s bothering me.”
Despite several neighbors who echoed that statement, detectives who spoke with KOIN 6 News said an AMR ambulance did respond.
The couple said the deadly shooting was not that surprising as the area has seen a spike in criminal activity. Despite that, they said neighbors stick together.
“We all rushed to see if we could help,” Olson said. “But Southeast Portland, it is really rough to live here.”
Bridenbaker went farther. “Don’t move here. Other than that, I mean, if we don’t ask the questions, who’s gonna ask the questions? And then nobody’s responsible for anything.”
No arrests have been made. Investigators said the shooter fled the complex before they arrived.
A Reed College spokesperson said in a statement they were informed there is no risk to the campus. The college also sent students a general safety reminder.
The Portland Police Homicide Unit is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Jennifer Hertzler at Jennifer.Hertzler@police.portlandoregon.gov, 503.823.1040 or Detective Joe Corona at Joseph.Corona@police.portlandoregon.gov, 503.823.0508. The case number is 23-97906.