Boy, 15, booked after shooting outside Franklin High
PORTLAND Ore. January 9 2023 A 15-year-old boy, who was already wanted on an unrelated warrant, was booked for unlawful firearm possession on Saturday night following a shooting outside of Franklin High School during a basketball game, authorities said.
The incident, which happened around 7:40 p.m., took place during a men’s basketball game when a Portland police officer who was assigned to the school heard the shots and called for help.
Basketball spectators were seen on cameras at the game rushing out of the stands, attempting to flee the school.
‘There is no word for when you lose a child’
The teen, whose name was not released because he is a minor, was detained a short distance off-campus and later booked into Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Center on an unrelated arrest warrant. Authorities said there was a new charge of unlawful possession of a firearm added later.
A semi-automatic handgun was found near the scene, investigators said.
One minor may have been injured in the shooting, but refused medical attention, PPB told KOIN 6 News.
PPB Chief Chuck Lovell issued a statement via Twitter on Sunday:
“I was very concerned to hear about the shooting outside Franklin HS last night, and I’m grateful that there were no serious injuries. I want to highlight the immediate response by officers who were there and ran toward the gunfire. My sincere thanks to those @PortlandPolice members, and the quick response by cover officers to detain a suspect, seize an illegal gun, and secure the crime scene. Also I appreciate the investigators who responded and are diligently working the case. Today I spoke with @Super_GGuerrero and discussed adding extra patrol in the FHS neighborhood this week to reassure our @PPSConnect community.”
Officials with Portland Public Schools issued this statement:
“Saturday evening, we experienced another unfortunate incident of gun violence outside one of our schools. This senseless violence continues to impact our neighborhoods and school communities. We stand ready to partner with city elected leaders, law enforcement, and the community to address this ongoing crisis.”
The investigation is ongoing. Police ask anyone with information to email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 23-6295.
