On June 18, 2016, a tragic shooting incident occurred outside the gymnasium and events center, The Courts, located at 14523 SW Millikan Way in Beaverton, Oregon. The incident resulted in the death of 23-year-old Andres Castorena and left another 23-year-old man, Fernando Chaires, seriously injured.
The shooting took place in the evening, just before 9 p.m., during a Quinceanera celebration, a traditional Hispanic event marking a girl's 15th birthday.
According to the investigation, an argument broke out in the parking lot of The Courts when a car driven by the victims entered the area. The suspect, identified as 19-year-old Roshawn Travers of Beaverton, was involved in this altercation.
Travers told police that he and a friend were about to cross the driveway at The Courts sports complex when a car drove in, nearly hitting him. He claimed that he had already flashed a handgun when the car's passenger got out, and in the ensuing confrontation, Travers pulled the gun and accidentally shot himself in the leg. He then shot the car's driver, Andres Castorena, and the passenger, Fernando Chaires. Castorena died at the hospital due to his injuries, while Chaires was expected to survive.
Roshawn Travers was found a half-block away from the crime scene along SW Murray Boulevard with gunshot wounds. Initially, it was unclear whether Travers' injuries were self-inflicted, but he later told officers that he had shot himself in the leg during the incident. Travers was arrested and lodged in the Washington County Jail on charges of assault, and following Castorena's death, additional charges were anticipated.
Travers' mother, Deann Merriweather, expressed shock and disbelief at her son's involvement, stating that he had never been in trouble before and was always a good kid. Travers did not enter a plea during his initial court appearance on murder and assault charges, and a preliminary hearing was set for later that month.
The investigation was assisted by the Washington County Major Crimes Team, and police closed Millikan Way for several hours to conduct their inquiry. The community and the victims' families sought answers and justice, with Castorena's cousin, Brenda Castorena, questioning the motives behind the shooting and expressing sorrow for the families affected.
