On October 5, 2016, a tragic incident occurred in Beaverton, Oregon, resulting in the deaths of three family members, including 8-year-old Lehua Elaysea Enfield. The events unfolded at the Redwood Creek Apartments, where the family resided. Lakalo Kawika Enfield, a 36-year-old man originally from Maui, Hawaii, was identified as the perpetrator of the murder-suicide.
According to Beaverton police, Lakalo Kawika Enfield shot and killed his two children: 6-year-old Lakalo Vergara Enfield and 8-year-old Lehua Elaysea Enfield. The police investigation revealed that Enfield's wife, Liezl Vergara Enfield, 33, was present in the apartment at the time of the shooting. She heard the shots and witnessed the horrific scene before fleeing the apartment to seek help.
Prior to the incident, there had been a domestic disturbance at the Enfield residence on September 29, 2016. Beaverton police responded to a verbal altercation between Lakalo Kawika Enfield and his wife, but since there were no signs of physical assault, Enfield was not arrested. Instead, he agreed to leave the apartment to stay with a relative in Medford, Oregon. This decision was in line with Oregon's laws, which mandate an arrest only if there are signs of physical assault during a domestic call.
On the day of the tragedy, neighbors reported hearing screams and seeing Liezl Enfield running from the apartment. When police arrived, they believed all three individuals inside the apartment were dead. However, as they backed out to preserve the crime scene, they heard rustling inside and then a single gunshot. A tactical negotiation team subsequently entered the unit and confirmed that Lakalo Kawika Enfield and the two children were deceased. Enfield had shot himself after killing his children.
The community was deeply affected by this incident, with many expressing their grief and condolences to the family. Neighbors described the scene as heartbreaking, with one neighbor, Sabrina Hayes, recounting how she rushed to help Liezl Enfield, who had blood on her hands. The incident highlighted the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the need for community support and awareness.
In this case, there were no arrests made after the incident, as the suspect, Lakalo Kawika Enfield, had taken his own life. The investigation was conducted by Beaverton detectives in conjunction with the Washington County Major Crimes Team to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy.
