UPDATE: Woman, 20, still in critical condition after SE Portland shooting; suspected shooter still at large

A woman who was shot in a Southeast Portland apartment Wednesday afternoon is being treated for life-threatening injuries while the man suspected of shooting her is on the loose, police said.

Police searched the Creston-Kenilworth neighborhood after responding to an apartment in the 3600 block of Southeast 28th Place shortly after 3 p.m., said Sgt. Pete Simpson, a Portland police spokesman. Police haven't found anyone matching the man's description, Simpson said.

The woman was shot inside an apartment and was able to make it outside, where she was met by authorities and taken to a hospital. Homicide detectives responded to the scene because of the severity of her injuries, Simpson said.

"A lot of times, (people's) bodies don't react as quickly as their brains do and they're able to move and get outside and get help," Simpson said. "But then very quickly the trauma starts to set in. Fortunately we were able to get her medical treatment right away."

Forest Eberlein, who lives in the building next to the one where the woman was shot, said he saw her walking up 28th Place. "There was a lot of blood," he noted.

The woman was shot at least once. Simpson didn't say where she was hit and said police don't know whether anyone other than the woman and man were in the apartment.

Simpson said he doesn't think the woman lives there and that officers described the crime scene as "very bloody."

The man is described as having a medium build and being in his 20s. He's wearing a blue T-shirt emblazoned with white numbers over a white T-shirt. He has a handgun and may be carrying a black jacket.

Initial information indicates the man and woman know one another and may be in a relationship. The woman is in her 20s and was taken to a trauma hospital, Simpson said.

Police blocked off the immediate area while school officials put Hosford Middle School on lockout.

Christine Miles, a Portland Public Schools spokeswoman, said approximately 100 students were kept from leaving starting about 3:20 p.m. The lockout was lifted about 30 minutes later.

School officials also notified families of the police activity, which did not affect nearby Cleveland High School, she said.

The case is under investigation, and neither the man nor the woman has been identified by name.

Police don't have any reason to think the shooter is still in the neighborhood, Simpson said, though they will search the area again.

The shooting comes on the heels of a Tuesday night standoff in Northeast Portland, in which a man fired dozens of rounds at officers from an assault rifle.

"It's a strain on the investigators when you have back-to-back major incidents," Simpson said, noting some investigators responded to both incidents.

Gresham police also fatally shot a man Tuesday morning in Gresham after he ran from them and brandished a pair of knives.

The man had allegedly assaulted a woman and forced her into a car, police said. People told police they heard officers tell the man multiple times to "drop the knife" and later heard gunshots.

Portland police ask anyone who has information about the Wednesday incident to call the bureau's non-emergency line, 503-823-3333.

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015