18-year-old woman killed downtown
Makayla Maree Harris
The FBI has offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of Makayla Maree Harris, an 18-year-old, who was killed in a mass shooting, downtown.
Police belief Harris was the unintended target in a gang related shooting that took place around 2 a.m. on July 17 on Southwest Third Avenue between Harvey Milk and Washington streets.
When they arrived, police found seven people wounded by gunfire. The shooters fired from a car in the street before it sped away. It is also believed that many potential witnesses ran off after the shooting and may not have provided information to investigators.
“Innocent people pay a heavy price when violent criminal gangs battle on our streets. Those clashes – facilitated by the constant buying, selling, trading, and stealing of weapons – have helped to drive the homicide rate in Portland to record highs,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.
Makayla's mother, Felicia Martinez called her daughter, a recent high school graduate, a beautiful, happy person.
“I know someone out there knows who did this, please do the right thing and help hold the person or persons accountable for their actions. We deserve closure and Makayla who had her innocent life taken deserves justice,” said a statement from Martinez.
If anyone has information, witnessed any part of what happened, or has video of anything that happened prior to, during, or after the shooting, they are asked to contact Portland Policeby emailing crimetips@portlandoregon.gov or contacting the FBI at 1 (800) CALL-FBI or at tips.fbi.gov.