A 44-year-old black man from Portland, Oregon, was fatally shot on the evening of December 14, 2020, in what investigators later confirmed was related to an armed robbery. At the time, he was working behind the counter at Cured Green, a marijuana dispensary in North Portland's Kenton neighborhood. The Oregon State Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy, ruling his death a homicide caused by a gunshot wound. Police responded to reports of shots fired shortly after 9:50 p.m.
and discovered the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. Investigators immediately classified the incident as Portland's 50th homicide of 2020.
That same night, his family was notified of the devastating loss. A fog of disbelief enveloped them, especially his younger brother Loren, who described the last forty-eight hours as an overwhelming blur. Michael had been on the job at Cured Green for just over a year and was known for his warmth, his ability to connect with regular customers, and a desire to bring levity and comfort—he joked that he sometimes felt like the community's therapist. His sudden death, in the place he had grown to love, struck his family and the broader community deeply.
In the days following the tragedy, his father expressed a profound blend of heartbreak and empathy. From his home in Boston, he shared how he and Michael had navigated life together from the son's birth, when he was just 18. Michael's job at a dispensary had been seen as part of a new, legal industry—not inherently dangerous—but his father acknowledged the troubling parallels to liquor and corner stores: businesses often targeted because they house cash and perceived ease of access. Now, Michael's five-year-old son Axel had to grow up without his father's love and guidance.
Months later, a breakthrough came. A grand jury indicted Daniel Mugisha for the murder, asserting that he shot and killed the 44-year-old man during the robbery at the pot shop. Prosecutors also noted that Mugisha had been in possession of a stolen vehicle—belonging to a kindergarten teacher—during the robbery. Beyond this charge, Mugisha was accused of involvement in another armed robbery and shooting in November 2020 on Northeast Holladay Street, facing charges including second-degree attempted murder in that separate case. He had been in custody since January 2021 and was awaiting arraignment.
In the wake of the shooting, community leaders and law enforcement highlighted the grim reality: gun violence in Portland had surged at a terrifying rate. By mid-December, the city had already experienced a doubling of shooting incidents compared to the previous year, with more than 800 shootings by that point—underscoring how Michael's death formed part of a broader and tragic pattern. The Portland Police chief implored the city to remember that behind every statistic lies a human life lost, a family forever changed.
Through it all, his loved ones held onto what they described of him: a loving father, son, partner, sibling, and friend with an infectious smile, a generous heart, and a deep affection for the outdoors. His passing left a void marked by sorrow, a child without his father, and a community demanding answers and safety.
