Walter E. Mulberry, a 49-year-old man from Portland, Oregon, was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting on July 7, 2024. At the time of the incident, Mulberry was working as event security in the Buckman neighborhood of Southeast Portland. The shooting occurred around 1:11 a.m. near Southeast 9th Avenue and Ankeny Street, where multiple shots were fired from a moving vehicle towards a group on the sidewalk.
Mulberry was struck in the neck by a stray bullet and was taken to a hospital, where he died shortly after arrival. In addition to Mulberry, a 17-year-old boy was also shot and is expected to survive his injuries.
Walter Mulberry was described by his family as a kind and soft-spoken man who was well-liked by everyone. He was born in Portland, moved to Kansas when he was young, and returned to Portland about 10 years ago. Mulberry had an adult daughter and two grandchildren, and he was excited about his new security job, which he had started just a few weeks prior to his death. He was looking forward to using his new income to support his family, including a planned trip to Kansas to meet his grandkids for the first time.
Mulberry's family has been deeply affected by his death. His cousin, Glenda Beegle, remembered him as 'my adopted son, he was my life,' and his sister, Vickie Ku Ku, expressed her grief and hope for justice, stating that she hopes police will make an arrest in the case. Mulberry's daughter, Emily Shute, who lives in Kansas, also shared her sorrow and described her father as a selfless and kind person who loved the outdoors and his family.
As of the current date, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. The Portland Police Bureau is still investigating the incident and has not identified the intended target of the shooting. Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact Detectives Jeff Pontius or Steve Gandy.
