Do you know who murdered Darius Martin and Myron Govan in 2000? On a Thursday afternoon, September 28, 2000, in Portland, Oregon, a violent act shattered the lives of a family. Darius Mendel Martin, an adult African-American male, and his father, Myron Dean Govan, were standing by a vehicle outside a relative's home in the 4700 block of N. Congress Avenue around 3:15 p.m. when their lives were irrevocably changed.
Without any apparent dispute or warning, an unidentified man approached the father and son and opened fire.
The sudden and brutal attack left Myron Govan dead at the scene. Darius Martin was critically injured and rushed to Emanuel Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries a few hours later. The tragic event left a family grieving the loss of two loved ones and a community searching for answers.
Multiple witnesses saw the shooting and provided a description of the suspect to the police. He was described as an African-American male, believed to be in his twenties, standing between 5'9" and 6' tall, and weighing approximately 180 to 200 pounds. He was wearing gloves, and his hair was either short in an afro style or pulled back. A possible getaway vehicle was also identified as a two-tone, silver over dark blue Chevrolet Astro van, likely a model from 1985 to 1987.
Despite the presence of several witnesses, the gunman fled the scene and has never been identified or apprehended. Investigators believe that there are people within the community who have knowledge of the shooter's identity and the motive behind the killings. The case remains an unsolved homicide, a cold case that continues to await a resolution and justice for the family of Darius Martin and Myron Govan.
