A Umatilla man is in a Portland hospital this morning following a shooting in Hermiston Thursday night.
The Hermiston Police Department responded to Foxwood Apartments, 1072 W. Orchard Ave., around 10 p.m. after receiving a report of a person being shot.
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Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston said four males from Umatilla came to Hermiston Monday night and were involved in a dispute with at least three other unknown males. The males, whose names were not released, were ages 17, 20, 21 and 22.
During the dispute, the 21-year-old was shot in the chest and taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center. He was later transported to Legacy Emanuel in Portland. As of 7:20 a.m. this morning, he had undergone surgery and he was listed in critical condition in the neuro trauma ICU.
The 22-year-old male sustained head injuries as a result of the fight and was also transported to Good Shepherd Hospital where he was held overnight for observation.
Edmiston said the investigation into the shooting is in its early stages.
“Though we have an initial story/account of what transpired, we firmly believe there is more information to glean from this investigation,” he said. “We are hopeful to gain more assistance from those involved. As is often the case in major crimes such as this, events takes place and law enforcement is left trying to connect dots and ascertain what truly happened versus what a person wants us to believe happened. We are diligently working this investigation with the assistance of the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office and hopefully will have more information available at the end of the day.”
The police chief did say there is “absolutely no evidence or statements that would suggest this is gang-related.”
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