On a cold December evening in Portland, Oregon, the life of Kelley Marie Smith, a 53-year-old Black/African American woman, was tragically cut short. On December 17, 2020, while working alongside her husband delivering meals for Uber Eats, Smith was struck and killed by a stray bullet in what investigators believe was a shooting in which she was an unintended victim.
The incident occurred around 7:00 p.m. near the intersection of North Vancouver Avenue and Stanton Street. Smith and her husband were in their vehicle when gunfire erupted nearby. Smith was fatally wounded, and her death was later ruled a homicide by the medical examiner. The investigation that followed uncovered a significant number of shell casings from various firearms at the scene, suggesting a chaotic and violent exchange.
In the wake of the tragedy, both the Portland Police Bureau and the FBI launched investigations into Smith’s death. Despite their efforts, no arrests have been made, and no specific suspects have been publicly identified in connection with the shooting. Authorities have expressed their belief that Smith was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.
To aid in the search for those responsible, Crime Stoppers of Oregon and the FBI have offered substantial rewards for any information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case. Law enforcement officials continue to appeal to the public for assistance, hoping that someone with knowledge of the events that transpired that night will come forward and help bring closure to Kelley Marie Smith’s grieving family. The case remains an active and ongoing homicide investigation.
