In the Centennial neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, the night of January 17, 2021, was shattered by gunfire. When police responded to reports of a shooting near Southeast 143rd Avenue and Division Street, they discovered a tragic scene. Two men, Adam Kekoa Adams, a 28-year-old Black / African American male, and his 31-year-old brother-in-law, Frank Gouland, were found deceased.
The Oregon State Medical Examiner would later confirm that both men had died from gunshot wounds, officially ruling their deaths as homicides.
Adam was remembered by his family as a kind and comforting presence, someone that people were naturally drawn to. His sister-in-law recalled him as a loving father who found joy in dancing and spending cherished moments with his family. The sudden and violent end to his life left two families reeling, searching for answers in the wake of their profound loss. The double homicide sent ripples of grief through their community, leaving more questions than answers.
In the days and months that followed, the investigation into the killings of Adam Kekoa Adams and Frank Gouland continued. However, despite the efforts of law enforcement, the case grew cold. No suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been announced in connection with the double homicide. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, leaving a painful void for the loved ones of both men, who are still awaiting justice for their untimely deaths. The case remains an open and unsolved homicide, a somber statistic in the city's record of gun violence for that year.
