Do you know who killed Robert Lee Thompson Jr in 2003?
In the early morning hours of July 26, 2003, the southbound lanes of I-205 near Glisan in Portland, Oregon, became the scene of a fatal chase. Robert Lee Thompson Jr., a 23-year-old African-American man, was driving his red Impala when he became the target of a terrifying pursuit. Witnesses reported seeing a dark blue or black Volkswagen Jetta aggressively tailing Thompson's vehicle. The chase escalated into violence as a man, described as stocky with shaggy black hair, was seen standing up through the sunroof of the Jetta, extending his arm, and firing multiple shots.
The sound of five "pops" echoed across the freeway as the gunman opened fire. Thompson's red Impala was struck, causing it to collide with the rear of an Acura before spinning out of control. The chase continued south on I-205 past Division, with witnesses hearing more gunshots emanating from the dark-colored Jetta. The pursuit ended tragically when Thompson's Impala left the freeway and crashed near the Powell Boulevard exit.
When police arrived at the scene of the crash, they discovered Robert Thompson Jr. deceased inside his vehicle. An autopsy later confirmed that he had died from a gunshot wound to the head. His street name was known to be Rob Dogg. The dark blue or black Volkswagen Jetta and the shooter fled the scene and were not immediately located.
Despite witness accounts of the chase and a description of the shooter, the case of Robert Thompson Jr.'s murder remains unsolved. No arrests have been made in connection with his death, and the identity of the stocky man with shaggy black hair who fired the fatal shots is still unknown. The Portland Police Bureau's Cold Case Homicide Unit continues to seek information from the public that could lead to a break in this years-old investigation.
