Who killed 27 year old Lonnie Gaston in 1997? On the morning of May 20, 1997, Lonnie Gaston, a 27-year-old African-American man, was standing outside his residence in the 5000 block of NE 26th Ave in Portland, Oregon. At approximately 9:37 a.m., an older model blue Ford sedan approached. The driver, who was the sole occupant of the car, began shooting at Gaston.
Gaston turned and fled, but he was struck by multiple gunshots and died at the scene.
Authorities have described the suspected shooter as a heavyset African-American man, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a mustache. No arrests have been made in the case, and it remains an open investigation.
Police believe that several people witnessed the shooting and have publicly requested that they come forward with any information they might have. Investigators have noted that Gaston was a former member of the Crips gang in Los Angeles and was reportedly involved in selling drugs in Portland around the time of his death, though he was not believed to be active in any local gangs. A cash reward of up to $2,500 is being offered by Crime Stoppers of Oregon for information that leads to an arrest in this unsolved felony crime.
