Street racing can have bad outcomes, but nobody was expecting this. Monday night four people were injured when bullets started flying during a street race gathering. Police say the area where this happened has seen a wave of street racing activity in recent years. None of the injuries were life-threatening. 

The range of ages for the victims shot was from 11-years-old to 21-years-old. Adrian Ramirez, the 21-year-old victim, was taken into custody as the prime suspect of the shooting. Police say there are more involved and possibly injured than the four mentioned, according to Oregon Live. By the time the police responded to the area, there were no victims. The four victims were accounted for through hospital notifications. 

Did the police arrest anyone for street racing?

Ramirez is charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and unlawful use of a gun. At this time, police aren’t sure if there is a connection between the racing and shootings. They also aren’t sure if Ramirez was the lone gunman. There were “several hundred people” watching the racing activities. 

“Street racing is not only illegal but can turn into a dangerous crowd event, drawing not only participants but spectators,” said Police Chief Chuck Lovell. “We are fortunate that no one was more seriously injured or killed over the weekend. Unfortunately, these take considerable resources to address and can be hazardous for not just those involved, but innocent road users who often are affected. As a city, we must work together to hold those committing these illegal street takeovers accountable.”

Street racing has been targeted in this area by police before

The shooting took place on North Marine Drive, which runs right next to the Columbia River, in the northernmost portion of Portland. Similar exploits happen on Lombard Street and Ramsey Street. Police have targeted this area in the past. It is also part of the reason Portland enacted a new city ordinance allowing police to seize vehicles participating in racing or takeovers. 

But not only are these illegal gatherings increasing but so are shootings in the Portland area. There have been more than 300 shootings so far in 2022, with 100 wounded and 24 killed. The previous night a man was killed in Northeast Portland. 

“We’ve had our windows shot out, bullets through our front windows, and trash in our parking lot,” says one store owner on Ramsey Street. “It’s the age range anywhere between 16 and 40, it’s all over the place. Some guys have really nice cars, others are junkers.

“It’s like Mad Max”

“The street used to be just packed with homeless campers, and the street racers would race up and down and occasionally hit their trailers and cars. It’s totally out of control, it’s like Mad Max.”

It should be noted that the Portland area is home to three different drag strips spread out around almost 150 square miles of the city. Portland International Raceway and Woodburn Dragstrip are all located within the Portland area. Madras Dragstrip is 2 ½-hours from the city. 

Some of this “street racing” may actually be street takeovers. Whatever it is, it has almost resulted in death.