Transient Arrested In Connection With Shootout Investigation

PORTLAND, OR — Police investigating a possibly gang-related shootout near a southeast Portland Kentucky Fried Chicken early Tuesday arrested one of the people suspected to be involved.

Joel Miranda, Jr., 22, was taken to Multnomah County Jail on nine separate charges, which include possession of methamphetamine, reckless endangering, reckless driving, and attempt to elude — both on foot and in a vehicle. How he may or may not be connected to the shooting is still under investigation, police said.

Incidentally, Miranda — a couch-surfing transient from Salem — was released from Multnomah County Jail on an "Emergency Forced Release" March 11.

Miranda had apparently spent the past four days in jail after he was stopped for riding through a stop sign on a skateboard without making any signal the previous Wednesday, March 7. During Miranda's chat with the Portland officers who stopped him for his skateboarding infraction, a concealed and loaded handgun was found along with about 17 grams of meth in a cigarette package on his person.

Barely 24 hours later, just after 4 a.m. March 13, Portland police say Miranda was somehow involved in an apparent shootout near the KFC at 8131 S.E. Powell Blvd.

East Precinct officers dispatched to the reported shooting learned the two suspects involved, who were reportedly shooting at each other, both left in separate vehicles prior to police arrival.

After getting a description of one of the cars involved, a dark blue BMW, police searching the area located it near the intersection of Northeast 102nd Avenue and Northeast Sandy Boulevard, roughly 5 miles north of where the shootout took place.

An officer tried to pull over the BMW, but the driver — identified as Miranda — fled with police in pursuit.

Heading west, Miranda barely made it three-quarters of a mile before crashing into a truck a short distance east of the massive scrap yard fire that started early Monday.

Miranda then reportedly bailed from his car and took off on foot, leaving the scene of the crash and the driver of the truck he hit — who was not injured, police said.

Police caught up to Miranda about a block north with help from a K9 team, taking him into custody without further incident.

Miranda's criminal history in Oregon also includes arrests for harassment, assault, theft, and driving under the influence of intoxicants. Miranda appears to have more than 10 arrests on his record — including the two mentioned in this story — since 2012.

The shooting investigation continues. Police encourage anyone with information about the shootout or Miranda to call the Portland Police Bureau Tactical Operation Division's Gang Enforcement Team at 503-823-4106.

Image via Portland Police Bureau