'Random disgustingness': Family mourns slain Portland man
A 35-year-old man who was shot and killed in Southeast Portland on Wednesday afternoon has been identified as Jeff Ramirez.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The man who was shot and killed while running errands in Southeast Portland Wednesday afternoon was remembered as "an amazing person" by his family on Saturday.
Jeff Ramirez died from a gunshot wound to the torso when he was shot near SE 119th and Stark. Another man who was wounded was found a few blocks away and is expected to recover. That man's name has not been released.
Ramirez was 35.
His family believes he was in the wrong place at the wrong time when he was killed. They said he was out running errands because his mom's birthday was that day. He may have happened upon a bad situation when he was shot.
"He was an amazing person. He was loved. He loved his dog and his family. He just got a new job at OHSU and was just excited about that," family member Thomas Smith told KOIN 6 News. "Everybody that knows Jeff knows how amazing he is and how loving he was."
Smith said Ramirez is his wife's first cousin and they grew up together. Ramirez, he said, was like a little brother.
"He loved helping people and that was his thing," Smith said. "Everybody that knows Jeff or was around Jeff, he wore his heart on his sleeve. He was just such a caring and loving person."
Smith said they learned about the shooting that day and knew it was his mom's birthday.
"He's out running errands. That's like the hardest thing. It's like random disgustingness. It's pointless."
The randomness and senselessness of his death is something backed up by witness statements. The day of the shooting witnesses told KOIN 6 News it appeared Ramirez was in his truck, either driving or at least on the road, when the shooting happened.
Witnesses also said it was a busy afternoon when 5 to 7 shots rang out around 4 p.m. Good Samaritans ran to help him and tried to stop his truck by hanging on to the back of it.
GoFundMe: Support for the Ramirez Family
One woman who was there when his truck stopped said she took his pulse and tried to give him first aid. She said she didn't see the shooting but also believes Ramirez was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Investigators have not confirmed that.
No arrests have been reported, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities asked anyone with information to contact Detective Rico Beniga at 503.823.0457 or Detective Scott Broughton at 503.823.3774 and reference Case No. 22-31073.
PPB Sgt. Kevin Allen told KOIN 6 News that so far in 2022 there have been 130 shootings in Portland with 34 injured. There have been 11 homicides this year, all by gunfire.
Thomas Smith reiterated how "amazing" Jeff Ramirez was.
"It's a void that can't be replaced. It's just a big gaping hole. So he will be missed by so many people."