Portland Teen Clings to Life with Bullet Lodged in His Brain After Park Shooting

PORTLAND, Ore. — As 16-year-old Elliott Beck fights for his life with a bullet lodged in his brain, a 15-year-old is in custody after handing himself over to the police.

Now, Black leaders of the Portland community are expressing fear for the teenage shooter, saying that the justice system is known to be ‘systemically racist.’

The teenage shooting victim, who is in the Randall Children’s Hospital, is being kept in a medical coma until the swelling around the brain subsides. Doctors will then assess the damage and decide whether the youngster has the strength to undergo an operation to have the bullet surgically removed.

Shooting Took Place at Cathedral Park

The shooting took place during the early hours of Sunday morning at Cathedral Park. According to investigators, several teenagers were in the area before the shooting occurred.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named as he is underage, is charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, and first-degree robbery.

He is booked into the Juvenile Detention Hall. At a court hearing on Friday, a juvenile justice court judge ruled that the youngster be held in custody without bail after the prosecution said they believed the teenager posed a danger to the community if released.

He is known to be involved with gangs and has substance abuse problems.

Michael Johnson, a minister and the director of Take Three Outreach, the nonprofit that opposes gun and gang violence, said he and other leaders in the Black community want to support both boys, adding that they also want to help the teen shooter in dealing with a justice system known to be systemically racist.

Meanwhile, Elliott Beck’s family are optimistic about their son’s recovery. Although his condition remains critical, he is responding to hand signals, and his family has decorated his hospital room with pictures sent by his basketball teammates and friends.