“I think it’s extraordinary that this many people can be shot in Portland, Oregon,” said Police Chief, Rosie Sizer, at a noon press conference. “The randomness as well as the scale, that’s outside anything we’ve known in Portland, Oregon, in the past.“
16-year-old Ashley Lauren Wilks from Portland is the first identified fatality in last night’s downtown shooting. Police are still trying to contact the family of the other dead female victim, and won’t release more information until they’ve done so. 
SIZER: Despairing for America…
“Parents right now are waking up and finding out that their child is dead, and that is very serious,” said Detective Mary Wheat, opening the noon press conference.
“This seems at first blush to be a random act of violence of the kind that makes you despair for America,” said Sizer. “It is unprecedented in Portland’s history.”
“As Portland’s Police Chief, the families of the victims have my heartfelt sympathy and that of my police department,” Sizer continued. “I’ve been in conversation with Police Commissioner Saltzman and with Mayor Adams, and they have offered whatever support they can provide. I think what we all want now is answers.”
The shooter was a lone gunman, who approached the area of SW 2nd and Pine on foot and began shooting, said Wheat. He then turned the gun on himself and is currently in critical condition. 2 of the 9 victims have been released from hospital. The 9-11 call went in at 10:37pm, and “it was over very quickly,” Wheat said.
“We have not been able to show any relationship at this time between the shooter and the victims,” Wheat continued.
“This would have been a very difficult thing for the police to prevent. When someone decides they want to do something like this and they do that by themselves, it’s very difficult.”
Asked what Adams had told her on the phone, Sizer said “he is, as all of us are, grieving for the people who suffered last night. I think it is safe to say that this hasn’t been a good week for Portland.“
There’s some speculation that some of those injured outside the Zone night club may have been foreign exchange students. “If they were, then our detectives would be working with various consulates to inform the families,” said Wheat, but refused to confirm the rumor.
Wheat also said she “did not know,” whether this car, which has been sealed off on SW 4th, has anything to do with the investigation:
CAR: Cause for concern…
Sizer plans another press conference tomorrow. We’ll keep you posted.
Update, 5:01pm Wheat has confirmed “that many of the victims were part of an International Rotary Exchange Program.”
Goodness, Matt, you’re reporting on this *and* providing constant updates on the Adams story?
Doesn’t the Merc have any other, y’know, reporters?
For clarification: Read a newspaper.
Wow, Portland is starting to remind me of New Orleans life. I guess I’ll be going to pick up that CCW. This is bullshit.
Just walked by the location (it’s very close to my work,) and there isn’t a shred of evidence anything has happened.
Huh? Matt, I don’t understand your comment.
For the record, I wasn’t being snarky, just surprised that you’re on both these big stories at once.
The Merc currently has one news intern backing Matt up, and he’s spending his time looking into zoning laws. They don’t let him in the office.
Sorry yum yum. For clarification: The Mercury’s former news editor quit to work for Sam Adams as his sustainability and planning policy adviser on December 22.
Since then it’s been me and a few freelancers.
Yikes. Good luck, Matt. Keep up the fine work.
Also, for clarification: I knew Amy quit, and when, and all that. I guess I just assumed y’all still had more resources than you do.
Again, good luck.
For clarification: Matt’s a bitter bunny, and seems to have latched onto a new catch phrase.
For clarification: I am 19 years old right now, but got a peck on the cheek from Sam Adams when I was 11. Also, Vera Katz pantsed me when I was 7.
yep…matt gets props galore. I’ve been checking the blog all weekend.
MATT DAVIS FOR MAYOR!
Isn’t it great that the whole world is going RIGHT DOWN THE TOILET right in front of our eyes?
I hope y’all are enjoying the show.
Things promise to get much worse as time goes on.
DON’T CHANGE THAT CHANNEL..
and now a word from our sponsors………
this is terrible and sad. my heart breaks for the families who have lost their children. they have a long long road of grieving ahead of them once the shock subsides.