On a Tuesday evening in January, the life of 18-year-old Kentraveon Hill, a Black / African American male, was tragically cut short. The date was January 23, 2018, and the setting was the Hazelwood neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. Young Kentraveon was at home, reportedly studying, when a friend's call lured him outside. Shortly after he stepped out near Northeast 147th Avenue and Burnside Street, the sound of gunfire shattered the night.
When police responded to the reports, they found Kentraveon deceased from a gunshot wound. Another teenager was also struck by the gunfire and was transported to a local hospital for their injuries.
In the wake of this violence, Kentraveon's mother, Shannon Thomas, painted a picture of a promising young man far removed from the circumstances of his death. She insisted her son was not involved in gangs and had no history of trouble. He was, in her words, a mentor and a big brother figure to others. His aspirations were to become a physical therapist, a goal that spoke to his desire to help people. Those who knew him echoed this sentiment, describing him as a funny, thoughtful, and loyal individual who often put others before himself. He was remembered as a model student and an intern at Elemental.
Despite the passage of time, the case of Kentraveon Hill's murder remains unsolved. No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified by the authorities. The Portland police have appealed to the public for any information that might lead to a breakthrough in the investigation. In the aftermath of his death, the community rallied around his grieving family, setting up a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral expenses. Kentraveon was laid to rest in Louisiana, leaving behind a family and community still seeking answers and justice for a life taken too soon. His death is one of several unsolved homicides from that year, a somber reminder of the ongoing issue of gun violence in the city.
