The 14-year-old who was shot outside the Lloyd Center Mall Monday evening, died Wednesday. He's the second teenager in the Portland area to die in suspicious circumstances over the last month.
Shiloh Hampton was a student at Madison High School in Northeast Portland.
Kristian Foden-Vencil / OPB
Outside Wednesday, there was a sign outside the school saying: "Shiloh. You will be missed."
Portland Public Schools spokesman, Matt Shelby, said students are shocked by Hampton's death.
Matt Shelby: "Since Tuesday we've had additional counselors out at the school We've set up a safe room. And we're really following the student's lead. Really there to listen to provide a space for students to talk to each other and really just kind of watch those emotions play out in a safe environment."
Portland Mayor, Sam Adams, called Hampton's death tragic.
Sam Adams: "Going to the hospital that night and seeing the grieving mother is almost too much to bear."
In the wider community, there's also shock and sadness at his death. Bishop AA Wells of Emmanuel Temple Church says people are tired of hearing bad news.
AA Wells: "It's a think that I think just saddens the community that we've gotten to a place where our young people buy into violence the way they do and have lost the value of human dignity."
Hampton was walking with friends in the Holladay Park area of Northeast Portland at about 5 o'clock Monday evening, when someone fired numerous rounds at the group.
Hampton was hit several times.
Investigators believe the shooting was gang-related. But they do not know at this time if Hampton was the intended victim.
Sergeant Pete Simpson says investigators are also having trouble getting details from people who were at the scene.
Pete Simpson: "There's a culture of silence in the gang world amongst the gang members. But also there's a fear among people who are in frequent contact with gang members. Family members, friends, fellow students that fear for their safety if they cooperate with the police or talk to the police. We're combatting that constantly in cases like this."
Police are looking for a white 80's model Mercedes with tinted windows and chrome rims, and they are encouraging anybody with tips or information about the shooting to call.
Matt Shelby of Portland Public Schools says educators work hard to keep kids out of gangs. But, he admits it is an issue.
Matt Shelby: "If students are active and engaged in their schooling and have goals beyond high school, they're less likely to get into trouble like that. That's really our focus. But, you know, when things do come up, we share information with Portland Police and when they hear about things they share information with us."
Shelby says principals also enforce their own dress codes, to keep things like do-rags and gang colors out of the schools.
Hampton is the second Portland teenager in the last month that police say have died in suspicious circumstances.
Yashanee Vaughn was last seen March 19th. A friend, Parrish Bennette, has been arrested and is accused of her murder. Her body has not been found.
Portland Mayor, Sam Adams, says losing two fourteen years olds in such a short time is almost too much to bear.
Sam Adams: "But it is happening in our city, we have too many guns, in the wrong hands. We have too much violence. We have a problem that I'm working hard to focus the community on."
