PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The two victims of a shooting that took place in the Woodlawn neighborhood Wednesday night have been identified, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
A medical examiner determined that 27-year-old Deja Willingham and 30-year-old Marcel Bryant had died of “homicide by gunshot wounds” before police located their bodies.
Authorities say they responded to the 2000 block of Northeast Lombard Street around 9:12 p.m. and found Willingham deceased. As officers searched the area of evidence, they discovered Bryant nearby.
The suspect or suspects had left the scene and no arrests were made, according to police. An investigation is ongoing.
Bryant’s sister, Alexis Mottlaverria, said she’s not sure if her brother knew Willingham. The young woman’s family has asked for privacy.
“It hurts me to know I won’t be able to hear his voice in the morning,” she said.
Mottlaverria said not only did she lose her older brother, but also a close friend and father-figure who raised her at a young age after the siblings had lost their mom.
“When I started going to school, he would give me his money that he earned and he always made sure I didn’t have to ask,” she said.
She said Bryant leaves behind a two-year-old son, two step-children and countless friends.
“He was a family guy, he was a provider,” Mottlaverria said.
Mottlaverria doesn’t know who would want to hurt her brother. She said she wants answers, but most of all, she doesn’t want his death to be in vain.
“He didn’t just stand for something little, he stood for something big – not just as my brother but as a father, a friend to many out there in the community,” she said. “I want people to always maintain the focus and know that he was loved and we want everyone to be loved out there.”
The family has created a GoFundMe to help lay Marcel Bryant to rest beside his mother.
PPB asks anyone with information about this shooting to contact Detective Travis Law at travis.law@police.portlandoregon.gov or (503)823-0395, or Detective Ryan Foote at ryan.foote@police.portlandoregon.gov or (503)823-0781. They say to reference case number 23-88186.
Stay with KOIN 6 as this investigation continues.