Argument Leads to Shooting at Riverside Park in Clackamas

A 33-year-old Happy Valley man was arrested last week after the sheriff’s office said he shot another man who tried to intervene in an argument near Riverside Park in Clackamas.

Philip Eric Pierce Jr.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said Philip Pierce Jr. was fishing on the Clackamas River when he got into an argument with another man, then shot the man’s 26-year-old friend in the leg. The shooting occurred around 6 p.m. Thursday.

Deputies said the victim, whom they did not identify, was trying to defuse the argument when Pierce began shooting. Police said they did not know what the men were arguing about.

Pierce was booked at the Clackamas County Jail for third-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and recklessly endangering.

The shooting occurred a short distance upriver from the park. SE Evelyn Street was closed at SE Jennifer Street while deputies investigated.

The Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit was deployed to the scene, using a patrol boat to transport the victim downriver to the park, where he was treated by AMR and Clackamas Fire District No. 1 and transported to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities are seeking more information about what happened at the river last week. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 503-723-4949 or use the online tip form; please reference CCSO Case No. 20-013240.

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