Who killed 23 year old Martin Tafolla-Sanchez in 1995? In the late evening of Tuesday, January 17, 1995, the sound of gunfire shattered the quiet of a North Missouri Avenue neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. Responding to a 9-1-1 call about shots being fired, police officers arrived at the 3500 block around 9:45 p.m.. They discovered the front door of a residence at 3543 N. Missouri Ave. standing open. Inside, they found the body of 23-year-old Hispanic male Martin Tafolla-Sanchez, who was lying face down in the dining room.
He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was deceased.
The investigation revealed that the house was a known gathering place for multiple Hispanic males and was rumored to be a site for drug-related activities. On the night of the shooting, a group of both men and women were present at the house. According to witness statements, an altercation occurred in which Tafolla-Sanchez, who had reportedly been drinking and was known to have a temper when intoxicated, fired a weapon at an individual. That person then produced a firearm and returned fire, killing Tafolla-Sanchez.
In the years following the death of Martin Tafolla-Sanchez, his case has remained unsolved. No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The Portland Police Bureau's Cold Case Homicide Unit continues to seek information from the public. They encourage anyone with knowledge of the shooting, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. A cash reward of up to $2,500 is being offered through Crime Stoppers of Oregon for information that leads to an arrest in this unresolved felony crime.
