News

Teen killed, another injured in Gresham shooting

April 28, 2025

UPDATE 4/2925

The teenager killed in the Sunday (4/27) morning shooting has been identified as 13-year-old William “Liam” Spahnle-Bailey. Liam was sleeping in his father’s apartment when a shooting occurred in a neighboring unit. Liam was stuck by gunfire that traveled through the wall between the two apartments. Officers and paramedics rendered medical aid and he was transported to a local hospital. Tragically, Liam was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival at the hospital. 

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Detective Lindsay Friderich at Lindsay.Friderich@GreshamOregon.govor Detective Martin Daly at Martin.Daly@GreshamOregon.gov.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting death of a local teen.

Shortly after 1:30 am on April 27, Gresham Police responded to a report of a shooting in the 4700 block of SW 11th Street. Officers learned a shooting had taken place inside an apartment. Multiple rounds went through walls into a neighboring apartment. 

A teenager sleeping in the neighboring apartment was struck by gunfire. Officers rendered immediate aid, and medical responders transported the 13-year-old victim to a local hospital; however, he did not survive. The name of the victim is not being released at the request of family.

Officers located another person who had been struck by gunfire a short distance from the shooting scene. That person was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious, but not life-threatening injuries. 

“Today our entire community is mourning the killing of an innocent child. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, classmates, and neighbors,” said Gresham Police Chief Travis Gullberg. “This shooting is a tragic reminder of how the impact of gun violence reaches far beyond the shooters and their intended victims. Our officers, detectives, and law enforcement partners will hold accountable everyone responsible for this child’s death. The City of Gresham, the Ceasefire program, and our community partners will continue working to break the cycle of violence.” 

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said, “This an example of horrific violence in our community. It breaks my heart to see the loss of such a young life. Any time a child is lost in our community it's devastating. But when it occurs in such a senseless, violent manner it's absolutely infuriating. We’ll do everything we can to get to the bottom of this and hold those who are responsible accountable for their actions.”

The East County Major Crimes Team is leading the investigation. The Major Crimes Team is an interagency team of detectives from the Gresham Police Department, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Port of Portland Police Department, Oregon State Police, and attorneys from the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. 

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Detective Lindsay Friderich at Lindsay.Friderich@GreshamOregon.gov or Detective Martin Daly at Martin.Daly@GreshamOregon.gov.

The City of Gresham participates in the Ceasefire partnership. This program unites community-based organizations, city leadership, law enforcement, and public health experts to implement violence prevention strategies. Ceasefire is rooted in a public health framework and seeks to address the root causes of violence by providing necessary resources including employment opportunities, conflict resolution, and behavioral health support.