Inset: Kevin Cooper (Portland Police Bureau). Background: The 9300 block of Southeast Ramona Street in Portland, Oregon, where five teens allegedly murdered Cooper (KOIN/YouTube).
In a tragic incident in Portland, five teenagers are accused of invading a home and fatally shooting a 57-year-old minister who was protecting his 4-year-old granddaughter, as reported by Oregon officials.
According to police, Zyaire E. Carter, 19, and Ty’Davion C. Burton, 18, face charges of first-degree murder, unlawful weapon use, and assault in connection with the death of Kevin Cooper. Additionally, Jayden J. Sarinana and Jordan Perkins, both 18, alongside an unnamed 17-year-old, are charged with second-degree murder, assault, and burglary, as detailed in a press release.
“Kevin Cooper’s death is a profound tragedy,” stated Portland Police Chief Bob Day. He expressed that while Cooper cannot be brought back, he hopes these arrests offer some solace and a path towards healing for Cooper’s family.
Officers were dispatched to a shooting incident around 12:30 a.m. on November 1, at the 9300 block of Southeast Ramona Street. Upon arrival, they discovered Cooper, who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries over a month later.
Investigations revealed that the teenagers forced entry into Cooper’s residence and shot him in front of his family. According to KOIN, a local CBS affiliate, Cooper’s brother recounted that the suspects initially knocked on the door, falsely claiming to be police officers, before violently entering and shooting Cooper as he protected his granddaughter.
Authorities apprehended Carter and Burton approximately six days after the incident on separate charges, including attempted murder, assault, robbery, and illegal firearm use. Sarinana and the 17-year-old were detained in January on separate robbery allegations.
A Multnomah County grand jury indicted the four adult suspects for murder. Perkins was the last of the five suspects to be taken into custody earlier this month. The four adults are in the Multnomah County Jail while the 17-year-old is in a juvenile facility.
“We cannot tolerate this growing rate of violence among youth and young adults,” Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer, who is prosecuting the case, said in a statement. “Kevin Cooper should still be with his grandchildren, his wife, and his church. We look forward to delivering justice for Mr. Cooper’s family, holding these men accountable, and doing our part to prevent further acts of violence.”
Cooper became a minister about 20 years ago at HeavenBound Deliverance Center Church, now People of Purpose Family Worship Center, according to his obituary.
“Kevin had a love for fishing — though he rarely came home with a catch, often saying with a smile, ‘I had to throw it back.’ Dominoes was his game of choice, and after giving his life to the Lord, he chose to play for candy — Twix, to be exact,” the obituary said.
The suspects are slated to appear in court on March 5.
