The names of those injured during Thursday’s shooting at Foxwood Apartments in Hermiston have been released by the Hermiston Police Department.
The shooting victim has been identified as Giovanni A. Avila, 21, of Umatilla. On Friday afternoon, Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston said he is still in critical condition in Legacy Emanuel in Portland. Edmiston said Avila’s condition is improving.
“We were told during our last check on the gunshot victim that he was still in critical condition with slight improvement based on internal bleeding being under control,” he said.
Also injured Thursday was Raul Frias, 22, of Umatilla. Frias suffered a head injury during an altercation.
Edmiston said four males from Umatilla came to Hermiston Monday night and were involved in a dispute with at least three other unknown males when Avila was shot in the chest around 10 p.m. on Thursday.
Also at the scene Thursday night were Mitcheal H. Thompson, 20, of Umatilla, and a 17-year-old relative of Avila.
“Detectives are continuing their investigation which includes interviewing potential witnesses and/or others with any information, and attempting to collect surveillance footage from nearby stores in hopes something may be of value,” Edmiston said.
The police chief said Friday the case will be a challenge for the department.
“This is going to be a very difficult crime to solve unless we are given more information to pursue,” he said. “Unfortunately we have very limited information to dig into.”
