Portland police alarmed by increase in gun violence among youth

Portland Police held a press conference on July 9 to talk about increased gun violence among youth in the city. (AnnMarie Hilton/Maine Morning Star)

In the past two weeks, Portland Police have recovered three ghost guns — or firearms without serial numbers that are purchased online and can be assembled at home by an individual.

Major Robert Martin said this is just one example of the increased gun violence and drug activity the city is seeing, especially among youth. While he couldn’t give an exact number, he said “a very high percentage” of the gun-related incidents in the city this past year have involved people under the age of 25.

“It’s a trend we don’t like seeing,” Martin said.

The city overall has seen an increase in shootings since 2021. While there were 17 shootings that year, there were 56 shootings in 2022 and 43 in 2023, according to data Martin provided at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. So far this year, there have been 23 shootings in Portland, he said.

More than 100 handguns and rifles have been taken off the streets in the past couple years, Martin estimated at the press conference. On Monday evening, police recovered several handguns and what appeared to be a fully automatic rifle from the home of a 25-year-old after obtaining a search warrant. Martin said the rifle is being tested to confirm if it is fully automatic.

The increase in youth involvement in these incidents has followed a similar timeline, Martin explained. He also said the incidents are often related to the illicit drug market. For example, just after midnight on Monday, police arrested a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old who were in possession of cocaine and a loaded handgun.

Martin said he doesn’t know exactly what’s causing the increase in gun violence among youth, but it’s troubling that many of the incidents are happening in residential areas where others could potentially end up in the line of fire.

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