While the worst news from the Connecticut school shooting was seeping out this morning, the Portland Police Bureau sent out a surreal news release about an arrest involving a disturbing number of guns. It ought not be overlooked—in terms of how it went down, and how it might have.
Not that we need any reminders after today's tragedy, or after Tuesday's at Clackamas Town Center, but guns and untreated mental illness, and that deadly place where they intersect—sometimes just quietly, one victim, just as tragic, but never remembered—deserve our attention. Even today. Especially today.
On Friday December 14, 2012, at 1:54 a.m., Portland Police officers assigned to East Precinct responded to a residence in the 3300 block of Southeast 84th Avenue on the report of an armed man hallucinating and that he'd fired a gun approximately 30 minutes prior to police being called by roommates.
As officers were enroute, they received additional information that the 34-year-old man had a shotgun and possibly two handguns.
At approximately 4:00 a.m., officers saw the man run out of the house to a house across the street. Residents of that house called 9-1-1 to report that the man told them that intruders were inside his home.
Officers recovered five (5) rifles, two (2) handguns and one (1) shotgun from the residence along with a significant quantity of ammunition.
Hit the jump for the whole thing.
On Friday December 14, 2012, at 1:54 a.m., Portland Police officers assigned to East Precinct responded to a residence in the 3300 block of Southeast 84th Avenue on the report of an armed man hallucinating and that he'd fired a gun approximately 30 minutes prior to police being called by roommates.
As officers were enroute, they received additional information that the 34-year-old man had a shotgun and possibly two handguns.
Officers arrived in the area and set up a neighborhood perimeter around the house. Roommates of the man were outside and contacted officers to provide additional information.
Officers attempted several phone calls into the residence to talk to the man but he would not answer the phone. Officers on the perimeter heard a shot fired inside the house but determined that the man was not shooting out of the house at anyone nor was there any information that he was threatening to shoot anyone.
Based on the man being alone in the residence and officers not having any contact with him, the decision was made to walk away from the residence and contact the man at a later time. One officer remained in the area to monitor the situation and over the next hour, several shots were heard from inside the house but none were fired outside the house.
At approximately 4:00 a.m., officers saw the man run out of the house to a house across the street. Residents of that house called 9-1-1 to report that the man told them that intruders were inside his home.
Additional officers responded and reestablished the neighborhood perimeter. A team of officers was set to take custody of the man after police gave him commands to come out of the house and walk towards them with his hands up.
The man exited the neighbor's home and began following commands to walk towards officers. An officer could see the man holding a handgun in his right hand and police gave him commands to put the gun on the ground. The man complied and continued to follow police commands until he was safely taken into custody.
After he was taken into custody, the man thanked police officers and asked officers to catch the intruders in his home.
Officers transported the man to an area hospital for a mental health evaluation.
Officers recovered five (5) rifles, two (2) handguns and one (1) shotgun from the residence along with a significant quantity of ammunition.
Inside the home, officers located several bullet holes to interior walls but no evidence that any of the bullets traveled outside the home to any neighboring residences.
No criminal charges were filed at this time but could be issued in the future.
The Portland Police Bureau continues to respond to a number of calls for service related to people struggling in a mental health crisis.
The Portland Police Bureau wants you to know that help is available for community members struggling from a mental health crisis and/or suicidal thoughts.
Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare has an urgent walk-in clinic, open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., 7 days a week. Payment is not necessary.
If you or someone you know needs help with suicidal thoughts or is otherwise in an immediate mental health crisis, please visit Cascadia or call (503) 963-2575.
Lines for Life is available 24 hours a day at (503) 972-3456.
