In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 30, 2023, a shooting in Southeast Portland's Centennial neighborhood resulted in the death of 34-year-old White/Caucasian male, Harry Oliver LaTour Jr. Portland Police Bureau officers from the East Precinct were dispatched to the vicinity of Southeast Naegeli Drive and Southeast Powell Boulevard around 3:14 a.m. following reports of shots fired.
Upon their arrival, they discovered a tragic scene.
Officers first located LaTour, who was deceased at the scene. The investigation took a further turn when, a short time later, police found a second deceased man about five blocks away in the 17100 block of Southeast Naegeli Drive. The suspect, or suspects, involved in the shooting had already fled before law enforcement arrived, and no immediate arrests were made. Homicide detectives were called to the scene to lead the investigation, closing off the area for a significant period.
The medical examiner later confirmed that Harry O. LaTour Jr.'s death was a homicide caused by a gunshot wound. In a peculiar development, while the second man found was also shot, the medical examiner determined that his death was not a result of homicidal violence. The cause of the second man's death was left undetermined, pending the results of a toxicology report. The investigation into LaTour's death remains ongoing, and authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in the case. Police have encouraged anyone with information to contact the detectives assigned to the case.
