By Rebecca Woolington
The Oregonian
PORTLAND — A 16-year-old boy is accused of firing at a rival gang member in front of the Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct.
Dontae Eugene Mathis Jr. faces charges of attempted murder, attempted first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon, said Sgt. Peter Simpson, a police spokesman. He was taken to the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Center.
He is accused of firing at another teenager, but no one was injured, Simpson said. The incident is the 30th gang-related shooting in Portland this year, compared to 12 during the same period in 2014, according to police.
Shortly before midnight Saturday, police responded to a report of a large number of teens letting out of the East Portland Community Center at 740 S.E. 106th Ave. The bureau’s East Precinct is across the street.
Officers heard people pounding on the station’s front doors and windows. Two cops went to the front door and heard gunshots. A 17-year-old ran inside the station, asking for help and saying someone had shot at him.
The officers then saw a teen fire another shot toward the south as he walked by the precinct, Simpson said. The teen was with a large group walking toward Southeast Stark Street.
Officers followed the teen and took him into custody. He had ditched the gun, Simpson said, but police found it.
Officers discovered that a bullet apparently struck the front of the precinct.
Investigators with the Gang Enforcement Team believe the suspect and his intended target are members of rival gangs, Simpson said.
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