Witnesses: Portland street racers fired guns, launched fireworks
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Street racers who took over an intersection not far from Portland International Airport also peppered gunfire and launched fireworks — including one that landed on the roof of a business — late Saturday night.
The entire street racing, fireworks and gunfire incident was caught on video by a man named Greg who lives just a few blocks away from the takeover at NE 57th and Sandy.
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Dozens of people are seen in the video watching cars do donuts late Saturday night, where tire tracks from burned rubber remain on the pavement. Greg told KOIN 6 News everything was fine until people began shooting fireworks directly into the crowd.
“Later on those people fired (fireworks) at this Herb Stomp building, landed on the roof and exploded,” Greg said.
There was yelling and shouting and then he heard the rapid gunfire.
A street racing event at NE Sandy and 57th also included fireworks and gunfire, July 6, 2024 (Courtesy to KOIN) A street racing event at NE Sandy and 57th also included fireworks and gunfire, July 6, 2024 (Courtesy to KOIN) A street racing event at NE Sandy and 57th also included fireworks and gunfire, July 6, 2024 (Courtesy to KOIN) A street racing event at NE Sandy and 57th also included fireworks and gunfire, July 6, 2024 (Courtesy to KOIN) A street racing event at NE Sandy and 57th also included fireworks and gunfire. This bullet casing was found at the scene, July 6, 2024 (Courtesy to KOIN)
People who were working in the area, like Osvaldo Mendoza, said about “40 or 50 kids were blocking the intersection” as the street racers took over and the fireworks went off.
“I heard the shots,” Mendoza said. “We were inside the doors. We locked the doors.”
When the shots rang out, Greg ran back to his home. After a while, he went back to the intersection and “found a shell casing on the ground.”
It’s not known if anyone was hurt.
KOIN 6 News reached out to Portland police for details and comment but have not heard back at this time. KOIN 6 News will have more information as it develops.
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