In the early morning hours of December 27, 2019, a burst of gunfire in downtown Portland shattered the pre-dawn quiet, leading to the death of 42-year-old Anthony Higginbotham, a Black / African American male. The incident, which unfolded at the intersection of Northwest Broadway and Flanders Street, prompted a swift response from the Portland Police Bureau.
Officers arriving at the scene discovered a chaotic aftermath with dozens of evidence markers scattered across the pavement and a handgun in plain sight.
Higginbotham was found at the scene suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital with serious injuries, but tragically, he succumbed to his wounds. A second individual was also shot during the incident and was transported to the hospital by a private vehicle. Following Higginbotham's death, what began as an assault investigation was quickly reclassified as a homicide.
At the scene of the shooting, police took a suspect into custody. The individual was identified as 46-year-old Curtis Antowhan Harris. Initially, Harris faced charges of attempted murder, assault, and unlawful use of a weapon. However, with Higginbotham's passing, the charges against Harris were upgraded to include murder.
The investigation into the shooting revealed a possible motive. According to a probable cause affidavit, Harris informed detectives that he had been selling liquor and snacks from his vehicle when two men allegedly robbed him, with one holding a gun to his head. Harris stated that after the alleged robbery, he drove a short distance away before returning and firing a significant number of rounds from his handgun. Investigators determined that Higginbotham sustained gunshot wounds to his legs, arms, and lower torso, affecting several organs.
