A late-night shooting in Portland’s Old Town left one person clinging to life and a 49-year-old man in handcuffs, according to police. Officers rushed to the area of Northwest 6th Avenue and Northwest Flanders Street just after midnight on Sunday, briefly shutting down portions of the neighborhood. Officials say the victim was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
Portland Police say the gunfire erupted shortly after midnight on Sunday, April 26, near NW 6th Avenue and NW Flanders Street, and that the suspect was tracked to and arrested inside a nearby apartment building, according to KPTV. The station identifies the suspect as 49-year-old Leslie Jerome Williams III, who allegedly got into a fight with the victim before shooting them in the chest. Court documents reviewed by the station say a woman and arriving officers tried to render aid before the victim was transported to the hospital.
Old Town Still at the Center of Portland’s Gun Violence Fight
The shooting unfolded in a neighborhood the city already flags as a trouble spot. Portland’s Ceasefire report lists Old Town/Chinatown among the areas with the highest rates of injury and fatal shootings, which is why the corridor draws extra enforcement and outreach. According to Portland.gov’s Ceasefire report, Old Town/Chinatown posted one of the highest victimization rates in recent data, a metric the city uses to steer resources. Local advocates say the pattern underscores persistent public-safety problems and the need for sustained services alongside police work.
Charges Pack Heavy Time Under Oregon Law
Police and court documents show Williams is facing a stack of felony counts, including second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, felon in possession of a weapon and possession of a loaded firearm in public, as reported by KPTV. Under state law an attempt to commit murder is treated as a serious felony, and assault in the first degree is classified as a Class A felony that carries significant prison exposure. See the Oregon Revised Statutes on attempt and ORS 163.185 on first-degree assault for the statutory breakdown. Prosecutors will review the case and any formal filings as the investigation moves forward.
Police Want Witnesses and Cell Phone Video
The Portland Police Bureau is asking anyone who saw the shooting or captured it on video to contact the department. Recent PPB advisories direct tipsters to email [email protected] and to reference case numbers when possible. A recent PPB advisory outlines how to submit tips. Investigators say the Old Town case remains active and they are following leads…