The Portland Police Bureau is still on the hunt for the man who shot a bicycle rider after an interaction on East Burnside.
It happened on May 5th around 10:22 pm when southeast Portland resident Mike Hilbrandt rode up behind a small SUV that had stopped in the bike lane on Burnside between 12th and 13th. Hilbrandt says he tapped on the window to let the driver know he was on the left. The driver then yelled, “I’m going to shoot you!” and then chased after Hilbrandt. A few blocks away on SE Ankeny, he pulled out a gun and shot him. The bullet shattered bones in Hilbrandt’s left arm. After several surgeries (and more to come), he’s currently home from the hospital and on the mend.
But the sting of injustice remains as his potential killer is still on the loose.
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Crime Stoppers of Oregon has teamed up with the PPB in hopes of finding someone with information about what happened. Hilbrandt recalls that a woman had just left the man’s SUV but she has yet to come forward.
The shooter is described as a heavyset black male 30-40 years old. The SUV was a newer, small 4-door that is grey or silver in color.
Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward up to $2,500 for anyone with information that leads to an arrest. You can leave an anonymous tip via this online form or by calling 503-823-HELP (4357).
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
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Jonathan Maus is BikePortland’s editor, publisher and founder. Contact him at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.
I’d like to throw in a few bucks reward money if that is possible.
Crimestoppers is a nonprofit and their rewards are funded through community donations. Check it out.
For the life of me, I just cannot understand the thought process that goes from “you tapped on my window” to “I am going to shoot you.”
Some people have a pathological attachment to their cars, to the extent that they won’t tolerate another person literally laying a finger on it. Just one of many ways that automobiles have warped human psychology.
It could be more than just the car.
Absolutely is. Someone hung up on their car or other personal property will probably yell, berate, call the cops, or make empty threats of violence. But to actually resort to violence is another level of disregard for repercussions and other people.
Not much thinking involved. It’s an emotional response to a perceived slight.
Way too much of that going on.
How much effort has the PPB put into this? One would think there are security cameras in the area that could have led to the vehicle and the driver/shooter.
Why did it take so long to get a description out there of the perp?
Lets consider there is more to this story. Perhaps the entitled biker hit the car window harder than said and the car owner felt threatened and defended himself.
Nice theory about the car owner feeling threatened except for the fact that the driver/shooter CHASED Hilbrandt for several blocks before shooting him. That pretty much shoots down (pun intended) the defense argument. Maybe you’d like to persuade us that the x-rays are a fraud or there’s some other excuse.
5G drove the perp crazy.
Or perhaps I call bullshit. I call legit on the riders story I’ve been in this situation (minus shooting) multiple times, all is chill, car is stopped in bike lane – annoying, but whatever, you give a tap as a heads up cause safety first, no biggie.
I just saw this article. If the “victim” lived here three years ago I would say he is a dead ringer for the same guy that tried to punch my off side front seat window with his bare fist on 20th and East Burnside. Why?
I rolled down my window and he screamed: “Turn your lights on!” Yes, it was dusk and I thanked him as he racked his handle bars on the side of my new car. He sped off a truly crazed man. He scared the shit out me. Are YOU the same guy?
Yeah. I witnessed three bike vs bike road-rage incidents during the last week (one directed at me). Mean streets getting meaner. Watch your back.
Hi Jay –
I can definitively say that was not ME. I do not ride on Burnside any further than 13th – ever. That is just asking to get hit or doored.
Additionally, if I wanted you to turn your lights on, I would have just yelled it loud enough so you’d hear me – why would I turn to “racking” (raking?) your car? Vandalism is not my scene.
I’m sorry you pooped your pants.
late comment, but== this still enrages me, ugh