On a late Sunday night in downtown Portland, the city's lively atmosphere was shattered by an act of violence that claimed the life of Aaron K. Beasley, a 33-year-old White/Caucasian male. The incident unfolded just before midnight on March 17, 2024, near Southwest 10th Avenue and Southwest Yamhill Street. Officers from the Central Precinct were dispatched to the scene at approximately 11:46 p.m. following reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival, they discovered Beasley suffering from a gunshot wound.
Police at the scene immediately rendered first aid until paramedics arrived and transported him to a local hospital. Despite the efforts of first responders and medical staff, Aaron K. Beasley succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The medical examiner later confirmed that his death was a homicide caused by a gunshot wound. His passing marked the 18th homicide in Portland for the year 2024. In the wake of the tragedy, his family requested privacy as they mourned their loss.
For weeks, the case remained under active investigation by the Portland Police Homicide detectives, with no immediate arrests made. Investigators appealed to the public for any information that might lead to a resolution in the case. The breakthrough came on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, when the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force arrested 33-year-old Alexander J. Lewis in Gresham in connection with the shooting.
Lewis was taken into custody and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center. He faces serious charges, including second-degree murder, unlawful use of a firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm. Authorities have not released any information regarding a potential motive or whether Beasley and Lewis knew each other. Lewis later appeared in court and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him. The investigation remains ongoing, and police continue to encourage anyone with information who has not yet spoken with detectives to come forward.
