Grand Jury Clears Portland Police Officer In Shooting From October 4, 2024 -06/30/25

Portland, OR- Friday June 27, 2025, a Multnomah County Grand Jury issued a Not True Bill Indorsement in the officer involved shooting death of Nicholas G. Thorn, 28, of Portland. 

The incident happened October 4, 2024 and involved Officer Andrew Young.

A Not True Bill Indorsement means the grand jury did not find Officer Young’s conduct to be criminal.

District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said, “Any time a life is lost in our community, it is a tragedy. Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this incident.”

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office will ask for a release of the grand jury transcript for this case, which we will then post on our website so that the public can see the evidence presented.

Here is a link to previous releases on the incident from Portland Police.

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/read.cfm?id=533696

                                           #MCDA#

Multnomah County District Attorney Finds Sheriff's Deputy Justified In Deadly Use Of Force On June 13, 2025 -06/27/25

Collins Critical Incident Press Release 

June 27, 2025

On Friday, June 13, 2025, Ladarius Collins was fatally shot during an encounter with Multnomah County Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Suboh in Gresham. District Attorney Nathan Vasquez stated, “Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this tragic loss of life. Any loss of life in these circumstances is deeply felt by families, communities, and all involved.”

The East County Major Crimes Team has conducted a thorough investigation and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office has carefully reviewed the evidence. 

As part of our process we have reviewed the investigation with Mr. Collins’ family and engaged with multiple community stakeholders to ensure an appropriate balance of compassionate transparency, accountability, and timely provision of answers and information to both the family and the community. 

DA Vasquez concluded that, “based upon a review of the facts and circumstances, MCSO Deputy Suboh’s use of deadly physical force on Friday June 13, 2025 was justified and, therefore, not criminal under Oregon law.” A more detailed legal analysis, summary of the facts of the case, and an annotated compilation of video evidence is available in the linked resources below:

Link to legal analysis:  

https://wwwdev.mcda.us/index.php/news/multnomah-county…rce-june-13-2025

Link to video: https://youtu.be/t98VIlk7r1g

The investigative reports and copies of the relevant video evidence will be made available by the Gresham Police Department after it completes the process of making the legally required redactions to blur faces and protect personal identification numbers. GPD has stated this will happen within 14 days.

DA Vasquez stated, “Mr. Collins’ death was tragic, and its impact on the family and community cannot be understated. I am deeply sorry for their loss.” 

                                                                                                             #MCDA#

GRAFFITI TAGGER "BIER" CONVICTED ON GUN CHARGES (Photo) -06/26/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 26, 2025

Case# 23CR16979

GRAFFITI TAGGER “BIER” CONVICTED ON GUN CHARGES

Portland, OR - On June 25, 2025, Multnomah County Judge Chanpone Sinlapasai convicted Jacob Abel Ramos, 45, of the following:

5 Counts of Unlawfully Manufacturing, Importing or Transferring a Firearm

6 Counts of Attempted Manufacturing, Importing or Transferring a Firearm

10 Counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm

1 Count of Unlawful Possession of a Short-Barreled Rifle

In 2022 the Portland Police Bureau Central Precinct NRT investigated a prolific graffiti artist with the tag name of BIER. While executing a search warrant at Jacob Ramos’ residence, as part of this investigation, officers found ten total firearms - five of which were serialized and five appeared to be homemade. Of those firearms, one was largely 3D printed and one was later determined to be a homemade short-barreled AR-15 style rifle. Evidence at Ramos’ residence revealed a gun manufacturing workshop consisting of a 3D printer, specialized jigs, drills, raw components and scrap materials that were used to print and mill several of the functioning, non-serialized, polymer and metal firearms. During their search officers found body armor, a large quantity of ammunition, and many magazines and other firearm accessories. Other evidence relating to the still open graffiti allegations was also seized as part of this search warrant.

DDA Andrew MacMillan prosecuted this case for the state. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Portland Police Bureau Officers Nathan Kirby-Glatkowski and Amelia Flohr for their meticulous investigation of this case as well as DA Investigator Colby Panter for his diligent work and firearm knowledge.

MAN WHO SAID HE ACCIDENTLY INGESTED BATH SALTS WHEN HE MEANT TO USE METH CONVICTED OF BREAKING INTO OLDER COUPLE’S HOME AND TERRORIZING THEM. JURY CONVICTS IN JUST 30 MINUTES. -06/11/25

PRESS RELEASE                            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2025

Portland, OR- A Multnomah County jury today convicted 35-year-old Michael Anthony Mazzi of forcing his way into the home of a couple aged 76 and 85 years old. 

The jury convicted Mazzi of four counts of Burglary in the First Degree, Coercion, Menacing and Criminal Mischief

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Branden Meadows prosecuted the case for the state. After the conviction he said: “A home is where people deserve to feel the safest, and Mr. Mazzi violated that sanctity for the victims. The impact of this man’s crime is still being felt today by the victims. His actions earned him a significant prison sentence and the state will be requesting that.  Justice was served  with his conviction, and I hope the victims can finally begin to heal from this traumatic event.”

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Portland Police SERT team, and specifically Officer Andrew Feist, Officer Joshua Faris, and Officer Sara Gibbons for their thorough work on this case.

The DA’s Office would also like to highlight the work of MCDA Victim’s Advocate Allison Miller for the care and compassion they offered the victims in the case.

THE FACTS:

On March 13, 2023, the two victims were at their house on NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, when they observed a man taking their ladder.

Initially, they thought it was their gardener, but soon saw that it was the Defendant, Michael Mazzi. He began yelling at the couple to leave their house. Eventually, Mazzi

forced his way into their home, followed by his girlfriend and their dog. While inside, the male victim called 911, and Mazzi can be heard on the call screaming at them to “leave,” while also saying some nonsensical things, such as “I know who, I know

what, I know when.” Mazzi claimed the place was his house while he was inside. The female victim tried to grab her phone before she left, but Mazzi snatched it out of her hands. Mazzi then forced the couple out into the freezing rain. 

Police arrived but Mazzi refused to leave the home. Eventually SERT arrived and had to blow open the door to get inside and get Mazzi out.

In his defense, Mazzi testified that he accidentally took bath salts instead of methamphetamine.

The jury deliberated for 30 minutes and convicted him on all counts.

Sentencing will be held August 15, 2025.

Mazzi faces up to 10 years in prison.

MCWOODS SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS PRISON FOR DEATH OF 15 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER -06/11/25

June 11, 2025

Portland, OR- Multnomah County Circuit Judge Christopher Marshall today sentenced Darian McWoods to ten years of prison pursuant to a plea deal that resolved a child homicide investigation that started in December of 2013. 

Prosecution in this case first began in December 2016, when Mr. McWoods was indicted on charges related to the death of his daughter, Kamaya Flores, who was fifteen months old at the time. The charges included two counts of murder by abuse, three counts of manslaughter in the first degree, and one count each of criminally negligent homicide, criminal mistreatment in the first degree, and tampering with a witness. 

The child died on December 17, 2013, while in the care of her father, Mr. McWoods. An autopsy was performed by the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office, which determined that her death was caused by methadone toxicity. A trace amount of methamphetamine was also detected in the child's blood. The autopsy revealed physical findings as well, including unilateral broken ribs with a laceration of the liver, facial bruising, and facial petechial hemorrhages. 

Mr. McWoods was first tried in this case in 2018, where the state’s expert witnesses testified that his daughter’s’ physical injuries were consistent with inflicted child abuse and compression asphyxia. Mr. McWoods was convicted of all charges on June 5, 2018. The jury was unanimous in convicting Mr. McWoods on all of the homicide allegations and charges associated with Kamaya’s injuries. On July 13, 2022, the Court of Appeals reversed the convictions and remanded the entire case back to the Multnomah County Circuit Court for retrial. 

On May 28, 2025, Mr. McWoods pled guilty to one count each of Manslaughter in the First Degree and Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree. As to the manslaughter charge, Mr. McWoods admitted that he recklessly, by neglect or maltreatment, caused the death of Flores, who was a child under the age of 14. As to the criminal mistreatment charge, Mr. McWoods admitted that he had assumed the care, custody and responsibility for Flores on December 17, 2013, and on that date intentionally and knowingly withheld necessary and adequate physical care and medical attention from Flores. 

The original prosecutors on the case were Multnomah County Chief Deputy District Attorney Amanda Nadell and former Senior Multnomah County DDA Amity Girt. Multnomah County Senior DDA Charles Mickley, alongside Ms. Nadell, has been on the case since it was remanded back for a new trial. DDA Jesse Hoffman also assisted with the prosecution following the remand. 

After the sentencing, Chief DDA Nadell said: “In her short life, Kamaya brought so much light and love to her family. Since her death, her family has remained steadfast in their commitment to ensuring justice was brought for Kamaya. I am grateful that Mr. McWoods took accountability for his role in Kamaya’s death, by pleading guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree and Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree. I hope that the finality of this resolution will provide closure to the victim’s family.” 

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank current Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office investigator Nathan Tobey for his excellent work on this case. He was a Portland Police detective assigned to the Child Abuse Team when the crime was committed back in 2013. He also worked on the case as a DA investigator after it was remanded.

            ###MCDA###

MAN WHO SHOT AT POLICE GETS 25 YEARS FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER -06/10/25

PRESS RELEASE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case: 21CR61063

June 10, 2025 

Portland, OR- Multnomah County Circuit Judge Jenna Plank sentenced Joshua William Degerness to 300 months prison (25 years) after a jury convicted him of Attempted First Degree Murder with a Firearm of three separate Portland Police Officers. He was also convicted of Attempted Assault in the First Degree of the officers, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Felony Attempt to Elude. 

The charges were related to an incident December 11, 2021 when Degerness fled from Portland police and eventually crashed into a tree after an officer used a Pursuit Intervention Technique on his vehicle. As officers ordered him to exit the vehicle he refused, pointed a gun in their direction firing at least two shots from inside the vehicle at the officers. Officers returned fire, hitting Degerness who survived.

Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero prosecuted the case for the state. After the sentencing she said, “Today’s sentence is necessary to ensure the safety of the public and our law enforcement partners. The Defendant continues to show absolutely no remorse and would present a serious and immediate threat if released to the community. We are incredibly thankful that the involved Portland Police members were not injured during this encounter, but things could have turned out much differently. We are thankful for their dedication to public safety and bravery in the face of extreme danger.”

Portland Police Chief Bob Day said:

“Today’s sentencing brings closure to a dangerous incident in which an individual eluded police and then fired at PPB members, putting their lives and the community at risk,” said Chief Bob Day. “We’re grateful to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and our Detectives for their diligent work on this case to help ensure accountability and justice.”

District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said “This is a very dangerous individual and he is where he belongs for the next 25 years. This case highlights how officers put their lives on the line every day for this community and we thank them for that.”

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Detectives Michael Jones and Travis Law for their exceptional work on this case.

THE FACTS:

December 11, 2021 a Portland Police Canine Officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the area of SE 92nd Avenue and SE Holgate Boulevard, and the driver attempted to elude. Subsequently, the officer conducted Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) on the suspect vehicle, stopping the vehicle at SE 88th Avenue and SE Holgate Boulevard. A Sergeant responded to that location. Upon arrival, he observed the suspect vehicle had crashed into a tree at the southeast corner of the intersection. A plan was developed to arrest the suspect, later identified as Joshua Degerness. Degerness was uncooperative and refused to exit the vehicle and surrender. An officer moved his patrol vehicle closer to Degerness' vehicle. Two sergeants accompanied the officer on the driver's side of his vehicle, on foot. During the incident, Degerness said something to the officers to the effect of "come get me!"  Due to Degemess' non-compliance, a sergeant deployed pepper spray at the open driver's window. Immediately, Degemess pointed a handgun directly at the sergeant who then ducked for cover and heard gunshots. The two officers positioned behind the sergeant had fired their weapons.The Defendant still refused to obey commands to surrender. Degemess stated something to the effect that his gun was real and he asked if any of the officers were hit. Degerness was eventually taken into custody. 

                                             ###MCDA###

SERIAL ARMED ROBBER FACES PRISON TERM OF AT LEAST 20 YEARS AFTER CONVICTION ON SIX HOLD UPS OF MULTNOMAH COUNTY BUSINESSES -06/10/25

PRESS RELEASE                                                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 29, 2025

Portland, OR- May 29th, prolific robber Cory Jackson, 44-years old, pled guilty to six counts of Robbery in the First Degree with a Firearm.

The robberies included five different marijuana dispensaries and a bar in Multnomah County. 

Jackson faces a minimum of 20 years in prison on the Multnomah County cases. He also faces charges in Washington County and Clackamas County as well as at least one federal charge.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 9th, 2025. 

Jackson worked with an accomplice during the robberies, 45-year-old Melissa Ann Maxwell.

Ms. Maxwell pled guilty to several counts of Robbery in April of 2025 and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Chris Shull led the prosecution for the state and after the conviction said;  “No employee should go to work and face the barrel of a gun in a robbery. Cory Jackson and Melissa Maxwell, however, traumatized numerous hard working Portlanders by doing just that, over and over again. I’m glad they were both peaceably arrested and will be removed from this community, giving their many victims a sense of safety.” 

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Portland Police Bureau Detectives Rachel Baer and Michael Greenlee for their extensive investigative work on these matters, the Oregon State Police Crime Lab in Clackamas for assistance with last minute DNA testing, and the Vancouver Police Department for their efforts in assisting with the peaceful arrest of Cory Jackson. 

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would also like to thank MCDA Victim Advocate Karla Juarez and Nang Dunn for their compassionate care to the victims of this case.

Here are the cases and counts that Jackson pled guilty to:

23CR37456

o Count 1: Robbery I w/ Firearm 

o Count 16: Robbery I w/ Firearm 

o Count 31: Robbery I w/ Firearm

o Count 46: Robbery I w/ Firearm 

23CR60391

o Count 1: Robbery I w/ Firearm 

23CR62755

o Count 1: Robbery I w/ Firearm 

24CR34239

o Count 2: Aggravated ID Theft 

Here is the Portland Police Bureau release from when Jackson was arrested on May 22, 2024.

A suspected serial armed robber is in custody and facing numerous charges following his arrest during a Stolen Vehicle Operation.

On the evening of Tuesday, May 21, 2024, officers with the Vancouver Police Department notified officers with the Portland Police Bureau of a wanted subject who was driving into Oregon. PPB officers, who were conducting a Stolen Vehicle Operation at the time, responded to assist. Officers located the wanted individual parking in a lot in the 2000 block of North Tomahawk Island Drive and walking into a business. Officers were able to evacuate the business and convince the man to exit. Officers took the man into custody without incident.

The suspect is identified as 43-year-old Cory J. Jackson. He was wanted in connection to numerous armed robberies and other crimes. He was lodged at the Multnomah County Detention Center on multiple warrants.

PPB’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov attn Major Crimes.

Photo description: Officers taking wanted man into custody

###PPB###

***Original Message Below***

The Portland Police Bureau needs the public’s help locating a man involved in a series of armed robberies in the Portland area.

Detectives believe Cory J. Jackson, 43, is responsible for five armed robberies in the span of five months in 2023.

On April 25, 2023, Jackson used a gun to rob a dispensary in the 2500 block of Northwest Nicolai Street.

On June 19, 2023, Jackson used a gun to rob a dispensary in the 4500 block of Southeast Cesar Chavez Boulevard.

On June 28, 2023, Jackson used a gun to rob a dispensary in the 2000 block of Northeast Sandy Boulevard.

On July 21, 2023, Jackson used a gun to rob a dispensary in the 5200 block of Southeast 28th Avenue.

On September 6, 2023, Jackson used a gun to rob a dispensary in the 3200 block of Southeast Johnson Creek Boulevard.

In addition to the crimes in Portland, Jackson is a suspect in numerous felony crimes in Washington, Arizona, and Nevada.

Jackson is described as a Caucasian male, 5’10”, 170 lbs. He frequently uses wigs to alter his appearance in order to avoid law enforcement detection. Jackson has multiple tattoos. The one on his knuckles reads HOME SICK.

Surveillance video from Portland area robberies is available for viewing at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cex6VrO47pQ

Anyone with information on Jackson’s whereabouts is urged to contact Detective Rachel Baer at Rachel.Baer@police.portlandoregon.gov or (503) 823-0323.

###

MAN WHO KILLED STRANGER AT DRUM CIRCLE SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITH POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE AFTER 25 YEARS -06/09/25

June 9, 2025

Portland, OR- Today, Multnomah County Circuit Judge Christopher Ramras sentenced Wyatt Belcher to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

A Multnomah County jury convicted Belcher last week after deliberating for just an hour.

The jury found him guilty of Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a Firearm. The victim of these crimes is Ash Smith. 

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Devin Franklin prosecuted the case for the state. She was assisted by Deputy District Attorney Morgan Ashton. 

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Detective Brad Clifton and the Portland Police Bureau for their excellent work on this case. 

MCDA would also like to thank MCDA Victim Advocate Lyssa Simmons for supporting Ms. Smith’s family for the duration of this case. MCDA would also like to acknowledge MCDA Investigator Anthony Merrill for his assistance leading up to and during the trial. 

THE FACTS:

May 8, 2022 around 11:43pm witnesses called 911 to report a woman had been shot. Witnesses later told police they had been at a drum circle attended by a large group of people. At the end of the event as people were packing up they heard a loud bang. One person thought it was a fireworks show but then saw the victim fall to the ground. The witness said a man walked away then returned and had a gun in his hand. The man was later identified by police as Belcher. The witness said the defendant racked the slide on the gun and asked if the woman was dead, then asked the witness if he wanted to be shot as well. The defendant then walked away and was arrested by Portland Police a short time later.

                                                                                                                                                                          ###MCDA###

 

THIRD MEMBER SENTENCED IN PORTLAND AREA BURGLARY RING THAT PREYED ON SMALL BUSINESSES. CARLILE GETS 9 YEARS PRISON -06/09/25

PRESS RELEASE                                                      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 9, 2025                       

Portland, Oregon - Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Christopher Marshall today sentenced 27-year-old Courtney Carlile to 9 years in prison for her role in a burglary ring that targeted Portland restaurants, bars, lounges, and dispensaries.

Carlile was convicted of 13 counts of Burglary in the First Degree and 2 counts of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle (auto theft), all felonies.  She will be required to pay restitution and will be on post prison supervision for 3 years following her release from prison.

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Alexander Garcia prosecuted the case for the state.

In court DDA Garcia said Carlile targeted at least 13 businesses.

“Ms. Carlile’s actions have had a significant impact on our community. As this court is well aware, property crime has greatly impacted Portland. It has caused a great number of businesses and people to leave Portland. Our streets are lined with vacant commercial spaces because business owners are not willing to risk opening.”

DDA Garcia said Carlile is 1 of roughly 10 people in the burglary ring that has burglarized and stolen from as many as 100 Portland businesses, the majority of which are small businesses.

Carlile has open criminal cases in Clackamas County and Washington County on similar charges.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s office would like to thank Portland Police Bureau Acting Detective Consider Vosu, Portland Police Bureau Officer Elliott Walker, and MCDA Investigator Gabriella Snedecor for their work.

MCDA would also like to thank Victim Advocates Emma Kane and Karla Juarez for their help on this case.

THE FACTS:

The cases began back in July of 2024. 

Portland Police Bureau Officer Elliott Walker played a key role in linking the cases together and identifying the suspects. Numerous other Portland police officers also helped out during the course of the investigation, which included multiple search warrants.

The probable cause affidavit states that on July 27, 2024 video surveillance for Baby Dolla Pizza at 2835 SE Stark Street shows, according to Officer Walker, Lucero arriving in a white Acura TL. Officer Walker reports Lucero is initially unmasked, and that he used a crowbar to force entry to the business and a Sawzall to gain access to an interior office. The officer said the business owner confirmed damage was more than $1,000 dollars.

On September 18, 2024, according to Officer Walker,  video showed Lucero and Carlile used bolt cutters to break into Grassa at NW 23rd Ave and a Sawzall saw to cut into an interior business safe. The burglary was caught on video and the two defendants were not wearing masks.

That same night, September 18, 2024, video from Old Town Brewing Co, located at 52nd and MLK, according to Officer Walker,  showed the two defendants in the same clothing. This time they smashed a window to get into the building. They once again used a Sawzall saw to gain access to an interior office and business safe.

The pattern repeated numerous times through November and December of 2024 until the pair were arrested by Portland Police on December 28th, 2024.  

                                                                                 ###MCDA###

SHOOTER IN ROAD RAGE MURDER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON -06/06/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 6, 2025

Case# 23CR49895

SHOOTER IN ROAD RAGE MURDER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON

Portland, OR - Today, Multnomah County Judge Jenna Plank sentenced 48-year-old Geoffrey Edward Hammond to life in prison with a possibility of parole after 30 years.

Original release as follows:

Press Release                                                                    For Immediate Release

May 1, 2025

Case # 23CR49895

HAMMOND CONVICTED OF MURDER FOR DOWNTOWN PORTLAND SHOOTING

Portland, OR- A Multnomah County jury convicted Geoffrey Edward Hammond today on charges of Murder in the second degree for killing Ryan Martin and Attempted Murder in the second degree for shooting Sam Gomez. The incident that happened in downtown Portland on October 11, 2023.

This was the second trial on the murder and attempted murder charges. In December of 2024, a different jury convicted Hammond of Assault in the first degree with a firearm and two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a firearm, but it was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the charges of Murder in the second degree and Attempted Murder in the second degree. 

Brad Kalbaugh prosecuted both trials for the state - first as a deputy district attorney for Multnomah County and then as a special deputy district attorney from the Oregon Department of Justice where he is currently employed. 

After the guilty verdicts, Kalbaugh said “The Martin family finally has found justice. Nothing Sam Gomez or Ryan Martin did that day warranted Hammond’s deadly reaction.”
  

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Portland Police Detective Ryan Foote for his excellent work on this case. We’d also like to thank Dr. Brandon Maughan of OHSU. Finally, thanks to MCDA Victim Advocate Allison Miller for the kindness and compassion they poured into the victims in this case.

THE FACTS:

According to an Affidavit of Probable Cause and witness testimony at trial, the incident began October 11, 2023 at 4:30pm. Hammond was driving a black Mercedes Benz for Uber and was stopped in front of the Moxy Hotel on SW Alder, partially blocking a lane of traffic at rush hour. Ryan Martin was driving a Toyota Tundra and was directly behind Hammond and was headed home to watch his daughter’s soccer game. Martin said something out the window to Hammond as his truck squeezed by Hammond’s car, and Hammond responded by giving him the middle finger. Martin quickly stopped his truck on the other side of the intersection and walked back to confront Hammond who had secretly begun loading a firearm. Within 1 second of Martin reaching the driver’s side window of the Mercedes Benz, Hammond rolled down the window and immediately shot Martin in the chest at close range The bullet narrowly missed his heart but pierced his left lung and his spine before exiting out the opposite side of his body and shattering a window at the Moxy hotel. Martin fell to the ground and landed on his back, unable to move. Hammond tried to shoot him a second time but the gun malfunctioned. Witnesses described watching Hammond try to fix his gun while saying, “You’re lucky I didn't shoot you in the heart.” Video shows more than 2 full minutes passed while Martin lay in the street dying next to the defendant's car while Hammond did nothing to help. 

As this was happening, Sam Gomez stumbled upon the scene. Gomez was attending a conference of the National Organization of Minority Architects at a nearby hotel. He saw Martin on the ground and Hammond seated in his car with a gun in his hand. Gomez held up his cell phone to take a picture of what he was seeing and was immediately shot in the leg by Hammond, who slowly drove away. In a phone call to 911 Hammond admitted to shooting both men and said he felt justified in doing so because Martin menaced him and because Gomez might have had a weapon. Gomez had been holding a cup of coffee and his cell phone.  Both Gomez and Martin were unarmed. 

Hammond faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years for the murder conviction. 

He is scheduled to be sentenced Jun 6, 2025 at 1:30pm by Judge Jenna Plank. 

 ###MCDA###

CORRECTION OF VICTIM'S NAME: JURY CONVICTS WYATT STORM BELCHER OF MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE AND UNLAWFUL USE OF A WEAPON AFTER A DRUM CIRCLE EVENT (Photo) -06/06/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 6, 2025

Case# 22CR21886

Portland, OR - JURY CONVICTS WYATT STORM BELCHER OF MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE AND UNLAWFUL USE OF A WEAPON AFTER A DRUM CIRCLE EVENT (PHOTO)

On June 5, 2025, a Multnomah County jury found 28-year-old Wyatt Storm Belcher guilty of Murder in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The charges stemmed from the shooting death of Ash Smith, which occurred on May 8, 2022. 

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Devin Franklin prosecuted the case for the state. After the verdict, DDA Franklin said, “Ash Smith was truly an innocent victim. While she didn't deserve Wyatt Belcher's senseless ambush, she did deserve the compassion that the witnesses on scene showed her during her final moments. Three of those individuals had the strength to testify during this trial despite being deeply and personally affected by what they witnessed. This verdict would not have been possible without their testimony.”

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office expresses gratitude to the Portland Police Bureau officers and detectives, especially lead Detective Brad Clifton, for their thorough investigation of the incident.  We would also like to thank victim advocate Lyssa Simmons for her caring dedication to this case and Investigator Anthony Merrill for his exceptional work.

FACTS: The incident took place on May 8, 2022 during a drum circle event in the Esplanade parking lot. As the large group began to disperse, multiple witnesses heard a loud bang and saw Ash Smith fall to the ground. Several witnesses stayed on the scene and provided statements to the police, including descriptions of the person who shot Ms. Smith. Police quickly located Mr. Belcher nearby, matching the descriptions provided. During a search incident to arrest, officers found a .40 caliber Glock 23 holstered in his waistband.

###MCDA###