Drew Dakessian
A 17-year-old male has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of another teenager on Monday night across from the Boys & Girls Club in the New Columbia district of the Portsmouth neighborhood.
Initially the deceased was thought to be an adult male, but later was identified as Billy A. Moore, 17. Detectives believe that this homicide occurred after an argument on a bus and was gang-related.
Four days earlier, officers responded to the shooting of a 16-year-old boy near the area where Moore had been murdered.
Youth have not been the sole targets of recent gun violence: Shawn Decoal Crawford, 41, was found dead at about 10:15 p.m. Friday near the intersection of North Albina Avenue and Jessup Street. Police were also looking at this murder as gang-related.
Portland Police Information Officer Detective Mary Wheat believes that these shootings might also indicate a growing trend of violence in the area due to warmer temperatures and school being out for the summer.
Anyone with information about any of these incidents is asked to call Portland Detective Molly Daul at 503-823-0991.
