[DV_listserv] 2020 DV-Related Homicides in Oregon

[Domestic Violence issues]

Below is a complete list of the media-reported DV-related homicides and attempted homicides in Oregon in 2020 that I have tracked.  The homicides between October 13-December 31 have not previous been sent out on the listserv.  If you are aware of additional DV homicides/ attempts in your county that are not on this list, please let me know.  Even if you do not have all of the information- it will assure that we have a better representation of the DV homicides that have happened in our state in the last year.

If you would like this list as a PDF, let me know.  I'm unable to attach the file to the email to the whole list.


2020 DV RELATED (MEDIA REPORTED) HOMICIDES - OREGON
NOTE: This may not be a complete list of DV-Related homicides in Oregon.  This information is compiled based on media alerts and information provided.
If you are aware of additional DV/ DV-related, please email sarah.m.sabri at doj.state.or.us<mailto:sarah.m.sabri at doj.state.or.us> to add the information to this list.

In 2020, there were at least 24 DV-related homicides in Oregon.  Across 22 known incidents, 12 victims were intimate partners, 9 victims were family members, and 3 were bystanders.  Of the 24 homicides, at least 12 occurred with a firearm and at least 3 involved stabbing.  5 of the 22 perpetrators committed suicide and 1 more was killed during a shoot-out with law enforcement.

Victims:

  *   BS Bystander
  *   IPV Intimate Partner Violence
  *   FV Familial Violence
  *   LE Law Enforcement



2020 Death #
# DV -Related Deaths from incident
Incident Date
County (City)
Reported Information
# of V(s)/ type
Relationship to offender
Weapon/ Cause of Death
Status of Suspect
Media Links
#1
1


January 16, 2020
Lane County (Eugene)
Alejandro Ponce (23) came into his ex-girlfriend's house and shot and killed her new boyfriend Blake Schaufler (23). The ex-girlfriend reported to dispatch that he "came to put a bullet in her head and tell her he loved her."  She reports that she knocked the gun out of suspect's hand and he left the residence on foot.  A manhunt ensued over the course of the day for Ponce, he eventually turned himself into the police that evening.  Ponce is charged with murder in the second degree for Ponce, and attempted murder for the ex-girlfriend.

1 BS ( +1 IPV Attempt)
Bystander (friend of ex-girlfriend of offender)

Ex-girlfriend (attempt)
firearm
arrested
https://www.registerguard.com/news/20200116/eugene-man-killed-in-apartment-shooting-identified-alleged-shooter-charged-with-murder

#2
1
January 2020
Linn County (Albany)
Craig Lazon (42) was arrested for the murder of his estranged wife, Tiffany Lazon (37).  Tiffany Lazon was reported missing on January 8, 2020.  She is reported last seen on November 11, 2019 and had a brief text communication with her mother on Christmas.  On January 9, police contacted Craig Lazon who said his wife had plans to move to Washington.  Officers located her cat, car, clothes and money.  Law enforcement learned that Craig Lazon borrowed a battery-operated circular saw from a friend and returned it a few days later.  The saw was tested by the Oregon State Crime Lab and returned a positive match for tissue and DNA belonging to Tiffany Lazon.

1 IPV
Estranged wife
Circular saw
arrested
https://democratherald.com/news/local/missing-woman-s-husband-arrested-for-murder/article_9ef1988c-fbbd-5aea-aeb9-92c640aebc86.html

https://katu.com/news/local/missing-albany-womans-husband-faces-murder-charge-after-her-dna-found-on-saw
#3
1
April 3, 2020
Lane County (Springfield)
Crystal Ashley Jones (31) was shot and taken to the hospital where she later died from the injuries.  Gino Hugo Mattei (46) is reported to have fled the scene before being arrested hours later for murder.

1 IPV
Girlfriend
firearm
arrested
https://www.registerguard.com/news/20200406/springfield-man-accused-of-murdering-romantic-partner
https://kval.com/news/local/fatal-springfield-shooting-victim-identified-as-37-year-old-woman-suspect-is-in-custody

#4
1
May 5, 2020
Multnomah County (Portland)
Michael O'Conner (78) shot and killed his son William O'Connor (52) and then shot and killed himself.


1 FV
Father
Firearm
Deceased/ suicide
https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2020/05/man-kills-adult-son-before-fatally-shooting-self-portland-police-say.html

#5, 6, 7
3
April 28, 2020
Linn County (Sweet Home)
Tiffany Shobert (41), Johnathan Shobert (15) and Charlotte Shobert (2) were killed prior to the house being set on fire.  Reports indicate evidence of gunshot wounds and sharp and blunt-force trauma.  The body of John Shorbert (63) husband and father of the victims was also found inside the home- his death caused by a single gunshot wound.  John Shobert is the suspect in the homicide of the other family members.

1 IPV

2 FV
Wife, 2 children
Firearm, sharp and blunt force trauma
Deceased/ suicide
https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2020/06/sweet-home-family-died-of-homicidal-violence-police-say-dead-father-suspected.html

#8
1
June 21, 2020
Multnomah County (Portland)
Eric A. Ackerman (63) shot and killed his wife, Eunice Castillo-Ross (69).  Officers went to the house on a welfare check and saw the victim laying on the floor and heard another person in the house racking a firearm.  They backed out of the home and engaged hostage negotiators and a gunshot was fired and they found Ackerman inside the home.  He was pronounced dead at the hospital.  Castillo-Ross was pronounced dead at the scene.

1 IPV
Wife
firearm
Deceased/ suicide
https://www.kptv.com/news/police-identify-man-woman-found-dead-in-apparent-murder-suicide-in-se-portland/article_06f506b6-bbb8-11ea-b2cc-27436c7d0db5.html

#9
1
July 5, 2020
Multnomah County (Portland)
Todd Carr (54) killed his mother, Sharon Carr (Tate) (73) telling police that he believed she was possessed by demons.

1 FV
Mother
Blunt force trauma
arrested
https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2020/07/portland-man-accused-of-killing-mother-pleads-not-guilty-to-murder-charge.html

#10
1
July 10, 2020
Multnomah County (Portland)
Angelina Volobuev (29) stabbed her mother Nadezhda Volobuev (61) to death.

1 FV
mother
stabbing
arrested
https://www.kgw.com/article/news/crime/woman-stabbed-to-death-in-se-portland-daughter-arrested/283-48921686-a1a0-4bb8-99ab-eb7c98187e5f

#11
1
July 10, 2020
Multnomah County (Portland)
Kceon Colbert (18) is accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend Shai-India Harris (18).  At this time, suspect is still wanted and outstanding.  Suspect arrested in August 2020.

1 IPV
girlfriend
Firearm
arrested
https://www.kgw.com/article/news/crime/family-of-woman-murdered-in-se-portland-speaks-out/283-3946d6a9-fba5-448c-a7bb-58eecbc26ac3

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/crime/kceon-colbert-accused-of-shai-india-harris-murder/283-86e660f5-3f03-4108-9009-1fcc14e1e3be

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/suspect-arrested-in-shooting-death-of-18-year-old-in-lents/283-0e50986e-4e15-4170-bc2c-bd28d11af900

#12
1
July 10, 2020
Deschutes County (Bend)
Antonio Martin Lopez (21) called 911 to report that he had a shot a woman.  When officers arrived they found Jazarae Danielle Caubet (20) and Lopez dead in the parking lot with the handgun.  Prior charges from March 2020 for strangulation/ harassment DV.

1 IPV
Girlfriend
Firearm
Deceased/ suicide
https://ktvz.com/news/bend/2020/07/11/bend-police-respond-to-shooting-call-find-2-dead-in-holiday-motel-parking-lot/

#13
1
July 10, 2020
Klamath County (Klamath Falls)
James Marshall Johnson (39) killed his mother-in-law, Joan Pittennger (69).  When officers arrived at the scene they found Pittennger badly beaten and her house on fire.  Pettinnger was transferred to the hospital where she died. Johnson also assaulted his wife, they were planning to divorce.

1 FV
Mother-in-law
trauma
arrested
https://www.heraldandnews.com/news/local_news/man-accused-of-killing-mother-in-law-setting-house-ablaze/article_9301cc91-68bc-5194-854e-fd6beeb8c07a.html

#14
1
July 31, 2020
Josephine County (Grants Pass)
Julie Names (43) was driven to the hospital with a gunshot wound and later pronounced dead.  She was driven to the hospital by Travis Albins (41), who was detained and later arrested for UUW and Manslaughter I.  He was released on bail earlier in the week pending menacing charges against his 67-year old mother.  Albins had prior DV arrests involving Names.

1 IPV
Intimate partner
Firearm
arrested
https://www.kdrv.com/content/news/Oregon-State-Police-investigating-the-shooting-death-of-Josephine-County-woman-571973151.html

#15
1
August 11, 2020
Multnomah County (Gresham)
Officers responded to residence to reports that Iryonna Bynum (22) was not breathing. Whether she died at hospital/ house not reported and cause of death not reported other than to say the autopsy determined homicide.  Brian Washington II (20) was arrested for her murder.

1 IPV
Intimate partner
Unknown
arrested
https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2020/08/police-arrest-gresham-man-in-domestic-violence-related-homicide.html

#16
1
September 13, 2020
Douglas County (Dillard)
Thomas Higgenbothom (88) shot and killed his girlfriend Linda Free (63).  He then turned the gun on himself.  Free was pronounced dead at the scene.  Higgenbothom was transported to the hospital, not expected to survive.

1 IPV
Girlfriend
Firearm
Deceased?  suicide
https://www.kezi.com/content/news/Shooting-in-Dillard-likely-murder-suicide-deputies-say-572408981.html

#17
1
September 21, 2020
Multnomah County (Portland)
James Allen Anderson (45) died from stab wounds.  Jonathan C. Creswell (31) was arrested for Murder II- DV and UUW-DV.

1 IPV?
Unknown, reported as DV
Stabbing
arrested
https://www.kptv.com/news/police-id-man-stabbed-killed-in-north-portland/article_6d852f9e-fdeb-11ea-b126-d7609877342f.html

#18
1
October 13, 2020
Linn County (Albany)
Colleen McDonald (61) was walking along the shoulder of a road when she was hit from behind by a truck, she died at the scene.  The truck was driven by her husband Gary Donovan McDonald (53).  He was arrested on charges of Manslaughter II, DUII and Reckless Driving.

1 IPV
Wife
Vehicle
arrested
https://kval.com/news/local/police-albany-man-had-been-drinking-when-he-hit-killed-wife-from-behind-with-pickup

#19
1
November 4, 2020
Lane County (Eugene)
George Alvergue (44) was arrested for the death of his mother Florence Alvergue (78).

1 FV
Mother
Unknown
arrested
https://www.kezi.com/content/news/Murdered-Eugene-woman-was-loved-by-community-friends-say-572986881.html

#20
1
December 1, 2020
Linn County (Lebanon)
Dispatch received a 911 hang-up call.  They called back and Keith Fiala answered said that that his brother had stabbed their mother and a person in the background could be heard yelling for help.  When officers arrived they discovered Astrid Gladys Fiala (85) had been stabbed multiple times in the back and stomach.  Her son, Kris Fiala (54) was found holding a knife and he spit blood at the deputy's face.  Kris Fiala had a history of prior DV arrests and convictions, including strangulation and assault (mother was victim in at least 1 of the priors)
1 FV
mother
Stabbing
arrested
https://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/linn-county-sheriff-investigating-homicide/article_b90427a7-b7b4-5ef5-9c62-b450a75a52d9.html

https://democratherald.com/news/local/brother-lacomb-murder-suspect-was-intoxicated-became-upset-before-stabbing-mother/article_ee1386da-6b74-556f-9464-c5c02b6ddede.html

#21
1
December 3, 2020
Lane County (Eugene)
Hunter Phillips (21) and his mother, Sheila Phillips (43) were both found dead with apparent gunshot wounds.  The father heard gunshots in the house and left to call 911.  He told police that the son was upset with his mother, and it is believed to be a murder-suicide.  Sheila's mother was living in the basement of the home and got out with no injuries.
1 FV
Mother
Firearm
Deceased/ suicide
https://kval.com/news/local/police-2-people-found-dead-inside-eugene-home-following-standoff

https://www.kezi.com/content/news/Police-identify-mother-son-found-dead-after-Hawkins-Lane-shooting-573322931.html


#22
1
December 7, 2020
Josephine County (Cave Junction)
Woman calls to report that her husband Donald J. Guest (56) had a gun and had threatened to kill her.  She was able to get away, but the caller's roommate Sandra Jo Reynolds (70) was unable to escape.  The standoff ended when Guest and law enforcement exchanged fire.

1 BS
Bystander (roommate to wife of offender)
Firearm
Deceased/ LE
https://www.kdrv.com/content/news/Standoff-near-Cave-Junction-ends-with-one-dead-573325061.html

https://www.kdrv.com/content/news/DA-identifies-two-killed-in-Cave-Junction-standoff-573349061.html

#23
1
December 15, 2020
Morrow County (Heppner)
Marlen Bowles was shot and later died at OHSU.  The victim's husband, David Bowles (43) is a person of interest and has not been located since the shooting and is considered armed and dangerous.
1 IPV
Wife
Firearm
UTL
https://www.eastoregonian.com/news/local/police-continue-search-for-husband-of-woman-who-died-after-dec-15-shooting-in-heppner/article_c7a0a65c-4adf-11eb-94dd-8fb56b74546f.html


#24
2
December 30, 2020
Union County (Elgin)
Gary Otis Mason (54) was arrested for the death of his significant other Candy K Williams (56) and a juvenile.

1 IPV; 1 BS?
Intimate partner
Unknown
arrested
https://www.lagrandeobserver.com/news/local/elgin-man-faces-murder-charges-in-double-homicide/article_fb9c751a-4ae1-11eb-915e-1fa4c141c0e3.html



















































2020 ATTEMPTED DV-RELATED HOMICIDES
Incident Date
County (City)
Reported Information
# of V(s)/ type
Relationship to offender
Weapon/ Cause of Death
Status of Suspect
Media Links


January 16, 2020
Lane County (Eugene)
ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE.

Alejandro Ponce (23) came into his ex-girlfriend's house and shot and killed her new boyfriend Blake Schaufler (23). The ex-girlfriend reported to dispatch that he "came to put a bullet in her head and tell her he loved her."  She reports that she knocked the gun out of suspect's hand and he left the residence on foot.  A manhunt ensued over the course of the day for Ponce, he eventually turned himself into the police that evening.  Ponce is charged with murder in the second degree for Ponce, and attempted murder for the ex-girlfriend.
1 IPV (1 BS homicide)
Bystander (friend of ex-girlfriend of offender)

Ex-girlfriend (attempt)
firearm
arrested
https://www.registerguard.com/news/20200116/eugene-man-killed-in-apartment-shooting-identified-alleged-shooter-charged-with-murder



February 18, 2020
Lane County (Florence)
ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE.

71 yo woman shots and wounds her 75 yo husband.  She then shoots and kills herself.

1 IPV
Husband/wife
firearm
Deceased/ suicide
https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2020/02/woman-shoots-husband-self-near-florence-authorities-say.html

https://kval.com/news/local/sheriff-woman-shot-husband-turned-gun-on-self-at-florence-home



May 15, 2020
Multnomah County (Portland)
ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE.

Renardo Artez Mitchel (35) shot at three women in a parking lot, one of which he had previously been in a relationship with


1 IPV
Ex-girlfriend
firearm
arrested
https://www.kptv.com/news/da-attempted-murder-suspect-shot-at-three-women-in-se-portland-parking-lot/article_f8aa6d4c-9954-11ea-8339-037f190a3758.html



December 11, 2020
Deschutes County (Bend)
ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE.

Ryan Michael Shinn (4) strangled his mother (61) during a disputed, inflicting serious injuries requiring her to be taken by ambulance to the hospital.  Arrested and charged with attempted murder and other charges.

1 FV
Mother
Strangulation
arrested
https://ktvz.com/news/crime-courts/2020/12/11/redmond-man-jailed-on-attempted-murder-charge-in-bend-attack-on-mother/



December 31, 2020
Lane County (Junction City)
ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE.

Robert Ward (58) stabbed his wife and teenage son, in the chest and abdomen- both are hospitalized
1 IPV
1 FV
Husband/ father
stabbing
arrested
https://www.kezi.com/content/news/Mother-and-son-stabbed-in-Junction-City-father-arrested-573512911.html






















































































































































































Sarah Sabri (she/her/hers)
Domestic Violence Resource Prosecutor
Sr. Assistant Attorney General | Criminal Justice Division
Oregon Department of Justice
2250 McGilchrist St. SE Ste. 100
Salem, OR 97302

Main: 503.378.6347 | Desk: 503.934.2024 | Fax: 503.373.1936

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