Who killed Andre Dupree Payton in Portland, OR in 2010? In the early hours of September 26, 2010, the life of 19-year-old Andre Dupree Payton, an African-American male, was cut short by a burst of gunfire in downtown Portland, Oregon. At approximately 2:00 a.m., police responded to reports of shots fired at the intersection of Northwest Couch Street and Northwest 2nd Avenue. Upon arrival, they discovered Payton lying in the street with a gunshot wound.
He was rushed to Oregon Health & Science University, but tragically succumbed to his injuries.
The scene of the shooting was chaotic, with witnesses reporting a large crowd of between 100 and 200 people in the street at the time. Dozens of shots were reportedly fired, sending people running for cover and leaving behind numerous evidence markers. The investigation soon pointed to the incident being gang-related, a belief supported by the sheer number of individuals thought to be involved in the altercation. Although Payton's family maintains that he was not a member of a gang, those who knew him acknowledged that he had been associating with the wrong crowd.
Witnesses described the suspects as multiple African-American males in their 20s, all wearing dark clothing. It is believed that as many as seven or more individuals may have been involved in the shooting. A black sedan was also reported to have been seen leaving the area at a high rate of speed immediately following the incident. Despite these leads and interviews with numerous witnesses, no arrests have ever been made in connection with Andre Payton's murder.
The case remains an open and active investigation, now handled by the Portland Police Bureau's Cold Case Unit. In the years since his death, law enforcement and Payton's family have continued to appeal to the public for any information that might lead to an arrest. A cash reward has been offered for tips that lead to a break in the case. The unsolved nature of his death continues to be a source of pain for his family and a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence on the community. The tragedy of Payton's death was compounded by further violence that erupted following his funeral, underscoring the cycle of retaliation that often plagues gang-related homicides.
