Teen Hit With Stray Bullet In NE Portland Thursday Night: Police

PORTLAND, OR — A Portland teen was reportedly struck by a bullet Thursday evening while standing in the backyard of a home roughly half a mile from where the bullet was apparently fired, according to Portland police. He is expected to survive.

The Portland Police Bureau's Gang Enforcement Team was dispatched to the 5200-block of Northeast 73rd Avenue, just south of Northeast Killingsworth Street, after receiving reports of a neighborhood shooting just after 7:45 p.m. July 5.

The 911 caller reportedly told dispatchers they heard two men arguing before the gunfire. Afterward, two cars sped away from the area, the caller said.

Investigating officers reportedly found evidence of gunfire in the area but did not locate any victims or suspects.

While officers continued their investigation, a teen boy arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound. According to police, the boy was hit with a stray bullet while he was standing in the backyard of a home in the 400o-block of Northeast 72nd Avenue, more than half a mile south from the actual scene of the shooting.

Police do not believe the boy was the intended target.

(Sign up for our free daily newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Portland Patch)

The Gang Enforcement Team will continue to investigate this incident, officials said. It is reportedly the 62nd time the Gang Enforcement Team has investigated a crime this year.

Anyone with additional information about this incident who hasn't already spoken to police is encouraged to call 503-823-4106.

Image via Shutterstock