Police: 2 killed, 8 shot near Portland nightspots

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A gunman opened fire outside an under-21 nightclub in Portland, killing two girls and wounding seven other people before shooting himself in what police say might have been a random act of violence. A Peruvian exchange student was killed, as was an American girl preparing for a trip as an exchange student. Among those wounded were students from Italy, Ecuador, France, Guatemala and Taiwan, officials said. Detective Mary Wheat, a police spokeswoman, said the shooting did not appear connected to gangs, and there was no indication the man had a relationship with any of the people he shot in front of The Zone nightclub late Saturday. A stray bullet hit a man outside a neighboring bar. Police late Sunday identified the alleged shooter as Erik Salvadore Ayala, 24. He remained in critical condition at Legacy Emanuel Hospital after shooting himself in the head, Wheat said.