Portland Police Investigating Homicide Downtown

Detectives are asking for more witnesses to come forward with information on the homicide as there were dozens of people who left the area before officers had a chance to speak with them.

Salem-News.com

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Police responding to a disturbance early this morning, Sunday September 26, 2010, at approximately 2:06 a.m., were just clearing the scene when officers heard several gunshots coming from the area of Northwest 2nd Avenue and Couch Street and saw several people running from the area.

Additional officers responded and found a 20-year old male down in the street suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to OHSU where he later died of his injuries.

Detectives have determined that a handgun was used in the shooting at Northwest 2nd Avenue and Couch Street.

Approximately 30 minutes after the shooting occurred, a 23-year old male walked in to Emanuel Hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

The 23-year-old shooting victim that walked into Emanuel Hospital was treated and released. His name will not be released at this time due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.

At this point, investigators say it is not clear if this victim suffered his injuries Downtown or at a different location as there was a 'shots fired' call in the 8600 Block of North Swift Way at just before 2:00 a.m. this morning and investigators are trying to determine the circumstances surrounding that shots fired incident as well.

Homicide and Gang Enforcement Detectives are onscene and are in the initial stages of the investigation. No suspects are in custody at this point and the shooting appears to be gang-related.

Traffic was affected for several hours in the area of West Burnside Street to Northwest Davis Street, Northwest 1st Avenue to Northwest 3rd Avenue, as detectives and forensic investigators process the crime scene. At 2:20 p.m. this afternoon, Sunday September 26, 2010, the crime scene around Northwest 2nd Avenue and Couch Street was cleared and all streets have been reopened for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

An autopsy on the 20-year-old shooting victim will be conducted tomorrow by the Oregon State Medical Examiner. The victims name will not be released until after the autopsy and family has been notified.

Detectives are asking for more witnesses to come forward with information on the homicide as there were dozens of people who left the area before officers had a chance to speak with them.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Jim McCausland at (503) 793-8425.

Updated Portland Police Investigating Homicide Downtown Victim Identified