PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — One teenager was killed and as many as 3 suspects fled the scene at the Embassy Suites near Portland International Airport late Saturday night, officials with the Port of Portland said.
A heavy police presence showed up at the Embassy Suites near the Portland International Airport late Saturday night at the hotel off NE 82nd shortly before 10 p.m. Investigators with both PPB and the Port of Portland police arrived along with the East County Major Crimes Team.
The Port of Portland shared Sunday morning that one person was killed in the shooting. He was publicly identified on Monday as 18-year-old Parnell Badon Jr.
The deadly shooting took place at the Embassy Suites on Northeast 82nd, a popular spot for visitors flying in and out of Portland everyday and one of the closest hotels to the PDX pick-up and drop-off areas.
KOIN 6 New saw a massive group of guests outside in the cold for a time before they were allowed to go back inside by 11 p.m. Many of the guests standing outside Saturday night appeared shaken.
Saturday night Karen Williams was working at the 7-Eleven just across the street from the Embassy Suites Hotel. She said some of the hotel staff also appeared shaken.
“I’m sure the people working in the hotel were completely shocked because I seen a couple of them come in here just like, ‘I’m sorry, can I use your bathroom? I just had to walk away, you know,’ and they’re visibly shaking,” she said. “And I can understand that had to be totally scary for them.”
She said this doesn’t usually happen in this area so close to the airport. “Like really? Somebody got murdered. So it was very scary.”
In a statement to KOIN 6 News, Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Airport General Manager Matthew Dalrymple said:
“We’re cooperating with the local authorities in their investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted. The safety and comfort of our guests and team members is a top priority. Questions should be directed to the Port of Portland Police Department.”
The East County Major Crimes Team continues to investigate. But with those responsible for the shooting still at-large, Williams said the community feels uneasy.
“I think that’s probably why a lot of people are scared to talk because they’re afraid of who they might be. You don’t know who they are,” Williams said. “I just hope that they can find them and the family can have some kind of peace.”
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call the PPB case detective at 503.460.4023.
