Portland, Ore. — A robbery call at the Gateway Fred Meyer in Portland’s Hazelwood neighborhood turned into a death investigation on Monday afternoon after an injured man was found in the store’s parking lot. The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) responded to reports of a robbery and shots fired near Northeast 102nd Avenue at approximately 4 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene, officers located the man, who was rushed to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
PPB later clarified that the initial call was related to a stolen purse, but the situation escalated when the man was found injured. The medical examiner’s office is expected to provide further details about the cause of death in the coming days.
The Gateway Fred Meyer is located in Portland’s Hazelwood neighborhood, an area that has long struggled with high rates of crime, including frequent shootings. According to PPB statistics, between November 2023 and November 2024, the Hazelwood neighborhood reported 3,210 crimes, making it the third highest in the city for criminal activity. The data also shows that the neighborhood experienced 9,691 reported assaults and 80 homicides during this period. Additionally, Hazelwood saw the highest number of shooting incidents in Portland, with 84 reported shootings between November 2023 and November 2024.
The neighborhood, which is home to major shopping centers such as Gateway and Mall 205, has faced increasing safety concerns in recent years. In fact, a Starbucks store located in the Gateway Shopping Center closed about three years ago due to safety issues, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the area.
Ann McMullen, a board member of the Hazelwood Neighborhood Association, spoke with KOIN 6 News about the situation, calling for more targeted policing efforts and investments in infrastructure to address the crime rate and improve safety in the neighborhood.
The investigation into the man’s death at the Gateway Fred Meyer is still ongoing, and the Portland Police Bureau is urging anyone with information to come forward.
