Portland police said they are tracking 19 shootings that began early on Friday and continued into Sunday morning, when a double homicide was reported.
Ninety-five cartridge casings have been uncovered over the last several days, alongside multiple firearms.
Of the 19 shootings, only three have resulted in suspects being identified and taken into custody. The remaining 16 are under investigation.
On Friday morning, police received reports of a male firing a handgun at Northeast 162nd Avenue and Halsey Street. Officers booked an 18-year-old into Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of discharging a firearm in city limits, unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in public and reckless endangering.
Early Sunday morning, officers heard shots fired in the area of Southeast 157th Avenue and East Burnside Street. A vehicle left the scene at high speed, but officers stopped the vehicle at Southeast 182nd Avenue and Division Street. They arrested a Gresham man, 18, for unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded firearm in public, discharging a firearm in the city, reckless endangering, reckless driving, driving under the influence of intoxicants, driving while suspended or revoked-misdemeanor. Another occupant of the vehicle, a 22-year-old man from Anaheim, California, was detained in Multnomah County Detention Center for unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in public, unlawful possession of firearms and reckless endangering.
Later on Sunday morning, police responded to a report of shots heard from inside the apartment building in the 300 block of Northwest Sixth Avenue. Two victims were pronounced deceased on the scene. Officers arrested Michael S. VanDomelen, 45, of Portland, into the Multnomah County Detention Center on two allegations of murder in the first degree. The deaths discovered Sunday, if ruled homicides, would mark the 70th and 71st of the year, breaking Portland’s record of 70 set in 1987.
Police encourage individuals with information to email crimetips@portlandoregon.gov and reference the corresponding case number.
-- Alexandra Skores
askores@oregonian.com; 503-221-8073; @AlexandraSkores