LaToya M. Hill was remembered by her family as a loving, free-spirited woman and a phenomenal basketball player who enjoyed mentoring young people. Her father, Marvin, said she was known by many through the sport, adding, “She just loved everybody and loved life.” A neighbor and friend also recalled her big heart and her willingness to help children who needed a place to stay, saying she believed in kids when no one else did.
In September 2024, the life of the 38-year-old Black/African American woman was cut short by violence in her Portland, Oregon community.
On the morning of Tuesday, September 17, 2024, LaToya was shot in the head in front of her house in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood. Her fiancé, Danielle McGruder, was also shot during the attack. After the shooter fled, McGruder rushed to LaToya’s side and called for help. Emergency responders transported LaToya to Oregon Health and Science University, but she succumbed to her injuries later that day.
The shooting prompted a significant police response, including a search of the area with drones. A few days after the attack, 18-year-old Kamari Nathaniel Gates of Portland turned himself in to police at the North Precinct. He was arrested on an outstanding warrant and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center. The arrest brought a painful revelation for LaToya’s loved ones, as Gates was described as a family friend.
Gates was ultimately charged in connection with the attack. The case was resolved when he entered into a plea agreement, pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter for the death of LaToya Hill and to an attempted murder charge for the shooting of her fiancé. As part of the deal, a charge for unlawful use of a weapon was dismissed. A judge sentenced Gates to 20 years, or 240 months, in prison, with the terms for the two charges to be served consecutively. His sentence also requires three years of post-prison supervision and payment of $4,460 in restitution.
