2 Students Hurt in Shooting Near Jefferson High School

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Two students were injured in a shooting Tuesday afternoon near a high school in Portland, Oregon, officials said.

Shots were fired near Jefferson High School in north Portland around 4 p.m. after school was dismissed, Portland Public Schools officials said.

The two students are expected to survive, District spokeswoman Marifer Sager told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Police received a report that one of the injured students suffered a wound to the leg and entered the gym shortly after the shooting, the Portland Police Bureau said. As of 7:25 p.m., police said they were still trying to locate another student who had suffered a graze wound.

Bullet holes are marked as evidence on the outer wall of Jefferson High School gym after a shooting injuring two students on Tuesday, October 18. (Photo/PPB)
Police said officers received reports that two teens wearing face masks fled after the shooting in a car that crashed nearby. The teens then ran away, according to police.

Police haven’t said if anyone was arrested.

“It’s very concerning when violence like this affects our kids. I’m just grateful there was no loss of life today,” said Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell. "I know our investigators will continue to review any information and I urge anyone who knows anything to come forward."

Jefferson High sophomore Mesert Melda told the newspaper she was in the gym when other students ran in screaming that there had been a drive-by shooting.

A teacher told the students to take shelter in the school’s audio recording room, she said.

“I was concerned for the people outside,” Melda said.