On a tragic day in Portland, Oregon, the life of Martha Ezther "Tika" Paz de Noboa, a 17-year-old female exchange student from Peru, was cut short. On January 24, 2009, she became the victim of a random shooting. Known for her vibrant spirit, Tika was a student at Columbia High School for the 2008-2009 school year and was lovingly hosted by the White Salmon/Bingen Rotary club.
She was remembered as a beloved daughter who was warmly received by her friends and the community, embracing the cultural exchange between her home in Peru and her life in White Salmon.
The devastating event unfolded as a 24-year-old gunman went on a shooting rampage in downtown Portland. This senseless act of violence not only claimed Tika's life but also that of 16-year-old Ashley Wilks. The attack left seven other people wounded, sending shockwaves of grief and horror through the community. The profound loss was palpable as hundreds of friends, family, fellow students, and community leaders gathered for a memorial service to honor the bright young student taken so suddenly.
In the aftermath of the horrific shooting spree, the gunman responsible for the unprovoked attack took his own life. As the perpetrator died at the scene, there were no subsequent arrests or suspects pursued in direct connection to the deaths of Martha Paz de Noboa and Ashley Wilks. The violence that erupted that day ended with the death of the individual who had single-handedly inflicted so much pain and loss upon innocent victims.
