Gang Assault Leaves Two Injured

Police say there could be a third victim, a female bystander who tried to help the man who was being attacked.

Salem-News.com

(GRESHAM, Ore.) - Two people are in jail after an assault at the 7-Eleven at 162nd and Stark left two injured with knife wounds. A third victim fled before police could speak with her and police were unable to find her. Police believe the assault was gang-related.

Police arrested 19-year old Edward Perez of Portland and 16-year old Javier M. Santa Cruz, also of Portland at the scene.

The victim, 17-year old Martin Abel Gonzalez of Portland was taken to OHSU for a superficial stab wound near his stomach and is expected to recover. The second victim, 19-year old Jill-Marie Allegre Gavin of Portland received treatment for superficial wounds and did not need hospitalization.

Sgt. Claudio Grandjean with Gresham Police says officers were called to the 7-Eleven at about 12:20 AM on a report of a fight.

"Shortly after arriving, they arrested Perez and Santa Cruz, who were nearby. They learned that the two had assaulted Gonzalea after believing he was associated with a rival gang."

Grandjean continued, "As they assaulted him both inside and outside the store, a female bystander intervened. Santa Cruz and Perez drug her outside and assaulted her and she fled on foot and police have been unable to identify her or contact her.

Gqvin then intervened and was assaulted, receiving a minor stab wound also. Police will continue to attempt to locate and identify the third victim. No description of her is available.

Perez was arrested, transported to the Multnomah County Jail and charged with Assault III. Santa Cruz was lodged at Donald E Long Juvenile Home and charged with Assault II.