15-Year-Old Injured in 1 of 2 Hermiston-Area Shootings

A 15-year-old male was injured in one of two Hermiston-area shootings reported earlier this week.

Investigators do not currently know if the incidents are related.

According to the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, the first took place Monday, Sept. 4, at 9:35 p.m. in the 1500 block of Northeast 10th Street. Multiple shots were reported, with a lighter-colored vehicle seen pursuing seven juveniles in a Toyota Rav 4.

Police said the vehicles first encountered one another around East Catherine Avenue and Northeast Fourth Street, then again in the 700 block of East Hurlburt Avenue. The Toyota was able to get away near the 1000 block of East Highland Avenue.

Investigators reported that both the Toyota and a parked vehicle were struck by bullets. An unidentified 15-year-old male passenger in the former sustained a lower-body injury believed to be a gunshot wound. He was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center. The extent of his injury is unknown, although it was believed to be non-life-threatening.

Several shell casings were found in and around the three locations in the incident. The Hermiston Police Department will proceed with further investigation.

Gunshots were then reported at around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, at the Foxwood Apartments, 1071 W Hermiston Ave.

Hermiston police found that two apartments had been struck, although no injuries were reported. According to a witness, two men were seen running from the scene after the shots were fired.

No further information was available about either incident, and no arrests have been made. Both investigations are ongoing.