Portland, OR — A Portland woman has been charged with attempted murder, assault, and firearm offenses after allegedly shooting a 17-year-old boy outside an apartment complex in the city’s North Portland neighborhood. Natasha Molett, 37, faces serious charges, including felony possession of a firearm, following the incident on the evening of December 6.
The shooting occurred near North Sumner Street and Vancouver Avenue, when Molett reportedly followed the teen as he walked his dogs. According to police, Molett confronted the boy, who initially ignored her, but eventually turned around to find her holding what he believed was a handgun. She then allegedly shot him multiple times in the leg, striking him twice and breaking his leg.
Surveillance footage from a neighbor’s camera captured Molett pointing the gun at the victim. While the footage does not show the actual shooting, it does show the teen stumbling to the ground moments later. Police also reviewed additional security video from the apartment complex, confirming that Molett was dressed in the same clothing seen earlier in the day when she was walking her dog.
After the shooting, Molett fled to her apartment, where she refused to comply with police orders to surrender. A standoff ensued, prompting the deployment of the Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT). Molett eventually surrendered to authorities around 11 p.m. and was taken into custody. Police later seized a handgun from her apartment, which is believed to have been used in the shooting.
The shooting comes after months of harassment and threats by Molett toward her neighbor, Shaelynn Fuller, who lives in the apartment below her. Fuller reported multiple incidents of threatening behavior, including an August outburst where Molett allegedly shouted, “This [expletive] is about to get shot.” Fuller documented the threats with her home surveillance system, which captured Molett banging on her windows and yelling at her. Fuller filed several police reports and also informed apartment management about the ongoing issues, but she said no significant action was taken.
Fuller expressed frustration that the situation escalated to a shooting despite her efforts to alert authorities. “It’s really frustrating that it got to this point and somebody else got hurt,” she said. “My kids are scared to be home. I have a video of my 3-year-old saying, ‘Mom, I don’t want to go home. The neighbor’s scary.’”
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s office confirmed that Fuller’s previous reports regarding Molett’s threats were never forwarded by Portland police, despite Fuller including video evidence of the threats. Portland Police Bureau (PPB) explained that two of Fuller’s reports were self-filed for documentation, while the third was a noise complaint. However, Fuller insists that the evidence she provided, including the videos, should have prompted further investigation.
Molett, a convicted felon, has a criminal history that includes prior convictions in 2017 and 2018. She now faces multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, assault, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, she could face a lengthy prison sentence.
At her arraignment on Monday, Molett pleaded not guilty to the charges. She is scheduled to return to court on December 17 for a pre-trial hearing. The 17-year-old victim, who suffered gunshot wounds to his legs, is still recovering in the hospital but is expected to survive the injuries.
The case has raised questions about the Portland Police Bureau’s response to the prior incidents involving Molett. Fuller has criticized the police for failing to act on her reports, suggesting that earlier intervention could have prevented the shooting. “It’s unacceptable that my kids were in fear, and nothing was done until someone was shot,” she said.
Fuller’s concerns have sparked a wider debate about how authorities handle complaints of harassment and threats, especially when firearms are involved. Some members of the community have called for greater accountability from law enforcement in handling such cases before they escalate into violence.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the evidence, including the surveillance footage and the handgun seized from Molett’s apartment. While the shooting victim remains in recovery, his account of the incident has been corroborated by video footage and witness statements.
As Molett’s case moves through the legal system, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked threats and the potential consequences when law enforcement does not fully address warnings. Fuller, for her part, hopes that the case will lead to greater accountability for both Molett and the authorities involved.
The Portland community, meanwhile, remains on edge, shaken by the violence that unfolded in what many hoped would be a safe, residential area.
