In the early morning hours of Monday, January 26, 2026, the life of 17-year-old Kenneth Smith III was tragically cut short in a shooting that marked Portland's first homicide of the year. Emergency medical crews responded to a call shortly before 2:45 a.m. near Southeast 134th Avenue and Harold Street in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood, initially for a report of a person not breathing.
Upon arrival, they discovered Smith with gunshot wounds.
Despite the immediate life-saving efforts of the first responders, Kenneth Smith III was pronounced deceased at the scene. The subsequent investigation by the Portland Police Bureau's Homicide Unit confirmed the nature of his death. The medical examiner later determined that Smith died from a homicide by gunshot wound. His family was notified of the devastating loss and has requested privacy during their time of grief.
Detectives from the Major Crime Scene team are actively investigating the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting. As of early February 2026, no arrests have been made in connection with the case, and police have not publicly identified any suspects. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward and contact the Portland Police Homicide Unit, referencing case number 26-24603, as the search for those responsible continues.
