On a Sunday evening in downtown Portland, the life of 34-year-old Hispanic/Latino male Saul Villatoro Escoto Eldibrando was tragically cut short. On October 8, 2023, at approximately 9:11 p.m., police officers responded to reports of a shooting at the intersection of Southwest 5th Avenue and Southwest Washington Street. Upon arrival, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound.
First responders at the scene immediately attempted life-saving measures, including CPR, before
paramedics arrived to take over. Eldibrando was rushed to a nearby hospital, but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The medical examiner later confirmed that he died from a gunshot wound and ruled his death a homicide. In the wake of the shooting, investigators closed off the surrounding streets for several hours to process the scene and gather evidence, beginning an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the fatal encounter.
For several weeks, the investigation continued without an arrest. The Portland Police Bureau asked for the public's help, seeking any information regarding the incident. Then, on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, a breakthrough was made in the case. Officers with the Central Precinct located and arrested a suspect, identified as 47-year-old Demetrius D. Vaughn of Portland. Vaughn was subsequently booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on multiple charges, including Murder in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm, bringing a significant development to the investigation into Eldibrando's death.
