In the early hours of a Sunday morning in Portland, Oregon, the life of Nycole Lashawne Griffin, a 30-year-old Black / African American male, was cut short. On April 24, 2022, in the Buckman neighborhood, a shooting occurred at Southeast 9th Avenue and Southeast Ash Street. Nycole was the victim of this fatal incident. In the immediate aftermath, his friends transported him in a private vehicle to Legacy Emanuel Hospital.
Despite their efforts, doctors confirmed that he had died from a gunshot wound. His friends remained to speak with the authorities, aiding the initial stages of the investigation that would follow. The Oregon State Medical Examiner's autopsy would later confirm that his death was a homicide caused by a gunshot wound.
The investigation into Nycole's death led the Portland Police Bureau to a suspect. On May 27, 2022, 33-year-old Nathaniel C. Freeman was arraigned in Multnomah County court on several charges, including Murder in the First and Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. At the time he was charged in connection with Nycole's death, Freeman was already in custody at the Multnomah County jail. He had been previously arrested and charged for another murder, that of Morgan "Max" K. Victor, which had taken place on May 4, 2022.
Nycole's mother, Nikki Griffin-Ware, remembered her son as an amazing person with a huge and perfect smile and a contagious laugh. She described him as a great son, an awesome brother, an amazing uncle, and a friend who was a protector and a real superhero to her. She spoke of the immense love he had for her, a feeling she knew and felt every day. The loss of his goofy and awesome personality and his huge tight hugs left a void in his family. His mother expressed her grief and frustration over the gun violence plaguing the city, highlighting the devastating impact it has on families and the community.
