Episode 71: Record Breaking

Perhaps it’s the distance of a shooting that keeps our interest at a distance. We tell ourselves we will never be in that situation. We aren’t ‘thugs’ or ‘gangsters’, but it’s victim blaming like that which allows these murders to continue without the same concern and outrage we have towards a serial killer stalking and killing someone. Today we discuss the record amount of shootings in the Portland, Oregon area, share stories of some of the unsolved shooting deaths, and try to understand what is causing the record violence.

Photo: Ragan Clark/Associated Press

Seneca Alexander, photo courtesy of Crime Stoppers

Sammie West III, photo courtesy of KATU

Jolan Yoakum, photo courtesy of Crime Stoppers

Calvin Jackson III, photo courtesy of Crime Stoppers

Makayla Harris, photo courtesy of FBI

Dominick Luster, photo courtesy of KOIN

Photo Courtesy of thenewsguard.com

Special thanks to this week's guest Penny Okamoto, Executive Director of Ceasefire Oregon

US News - A Dangerous Time': Portland, Oregon, Sees Record Homicides |

Join PDX - Homelessness Statistics in the Portland Metro Area | KOIN - Teen shot multiple times in Gresham, dies at hospital | KOIN - NE Portland Shooting Investigation Parkrose | KPTV - Portland Man Remembered as Energetic and Driven | KATU - As Portland Gun Violence Spikes Family of Slain Teen Begs for it to Stop | Crime Stoppers of Oregon - Seneca Alexander | FBI - Makayla Maree Harris