In the early morning hours of September 18, 2025, a fatal shooting in Southeast Portland claimed the life of Garvin Franklin Jr., a 45-year-old Black / African American man. The incident occurred shortly after 2 a.m. in the parking lot of a bar in the Montavilla neighborhood, near Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Harrison Street. When Portland Police Bureau officers from the East Precinct arrived at the scene, they discovered Franklin deceased.
The medical examiner later confirmed that he died from a gunshot wound and ruled his death a homicide.
Another man was also injured during the shooting and was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. At the scene, police detained one individual in connection with the shooting. That individual was later identified as 37-year-old Brandon Lewis.
Following the initial investigation, Brandon Lewis was arrested and lodged in the Multnomah County Detention Center. He faces charges of second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and second-degree assault. Authorities have not released a motive for the shooting and have stated that they are not seeking any other suspects. The investigation remains ongoing, and police have asked anyone with information to come forward. Franklin's family, who have requested privacy, provided a photograph of him to the public.
