Woman killed in SE Portland, suspect at large

Published 4:16 pm Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Police are searching for the suspect who shot a woman in the head in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood Tuesday morning.

The victim died in the hospital. She will not be identified until the Medical Examiner has determined cause and manner of death and next of kin is notified.

According to the Portland Police Bureau, at approximately 8:35 a.m. on Sept. 17, East Precinct officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 5900 block of Southeast 136th Avenue. When they arrived, officers located an adult female who had been wounded. She was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.

With the Portland Police Bureau’s Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) at training outside of the metro area, East Metro SWAT, comprised of personnel from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and the Gresham Police Department, responded to the scene to conduct a search for the shooting suspect. A shelter-in-place order was issued to residents living in the immediate area.

According to David Douglas School District, both Gilbert Park Elementary and Alice Ott Middle School were placed in secure mode until police gave them the all-clear around 12:36 p.m.

“Based on the Portland Police Bureau, there are no safety concerns to our schools,” the district wrote in an afternoon update. “Police presence might still be in the area near Southeast 136th, if you live nearby, please follow law enforcement directions.”

East Metro SWAT remained on the scene Tuesday afternoon and continues to search the area.

Anyone with information about this incident, or the whereabouts of the suspect, is asked to contact Det. Michael Schmerber at Michael.Schmerber@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0991, or Det. Jeff Sharp at Jeff.Sharp@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-9773, and reference case number 24-237787.

KOIN 6 News is a news partner of the Portland Tribune and contributed to this story. Their full story can be found at koin.com.