A young Black/African American man's life was tragically cut short on the evening of July 12, 2024, in a park in Portland, Oregon. Asher Ethan HK Mendes, a 20-year-old male, was fatally shot at Sellwood Riverfront Park. Portland Police Bureau officers from the Central Precinct responded to a report of a shooting at approximately 11:16 p.m. Upon their arrival, they discovered Mendes deceased at the scene.
The Medical Examiner later confirmed that he died from a gunshot wound and ruled his death a homicide.
The suspect or suspects fled the scene before law enforcement was called, and no immediate arrests were made in connection with the shooting. Homicide detectives were called in to lead the investigation and believe that numerous people were present at the park when the shooting occurred but left without speaking to officers. The Portland Police Bureau has publicly appealed for witnesses to come forward with any information that might aid their investigation.
Asher, who was from Sherwood, Oregon, was remembered by his mother as a caring individual who grew up with the "aloha" spirit of his native Hawaii before moving to Portland in the fifth grade. His life took a turn as he got in with a rough crowd. He had recently become a father and was struggling with homelessness alongside the mother of his child. After they had found an apartment, his ex-girlfriend left with their son in May, and he had been heartbroken and trying to see his child since. His mother said that in the weeks leading up to his death, he had expressed feeling threatened. On the night he was killed, Mendes was attending a party at the park.
As of late August 2024, more than a month after the incident, no arrests had been made, and no suspects had been publicly identified. Asher's family has been pleading for answers and has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise reward money in the hope of encouraging witnesses to come forward. The investigation into the death of Asher Ethan HK Mendes remains ongoing.
