Do you know who murdered Michael Angelo Hernandez Jr in 1999? In the early morning hours of August 6, 1999, a heated argument shattered the predawn stillness at the intersection of NE Mallory and Failing Street in Portland, Oregon. Michael Angelo Hernandez Jr., a 22-year-old Hispanic male, was seen by several witnesses in a tense confrontation with at least one African-American man. The argument escalated, and the sharp report of gunfire echoed through the neighborhood. Shortly after the shots were heard, Michael Hernandez Jr.
was found deceased at the scene.
The investigation that followed painted a partial picture of the events that transpired. Witnesses reported seeing two African-American males leaving the area immediately after the shooting. One of the men was described as being in his early 20s at the time, standing between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 11 inches tall with a light brown complexion. The second man was said to be slightly taller with a stockier build, dark skin, and a shaved head. These descriptions, provided by those who witnessed the altercation's aftermath, became the primary leads for law enforcement.
Despite having descriptions of the suspects, the case has remained unsolved for decades. No arrests have ever been made in connection with the murder of Michael Hernandez Jr. Investigators have considered that Hernandez's known involvement in drug and gang-related activities may have been a factor in the fatal confrontation, with speculation that the argument could have been over drugs or a woman. The Portland Police Bureau's Cold Case Homicide Unit continues to seek information from the public, hoping that someone will come forward with the key piece of evidence that will finally bring resolution to this long-standing mystery.
