PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — On Sunday, more than a day after they lost him, Markell Jones’ family gathered near the place he was killed and remembered a man gone too soon.
“We didn’t get the opportunity to say good bye or tell him that we loved him,” said Markell’s sister, Tonya.
“What happened is you took someone very special to us that we will never be able to see again.”
Jones was one of three people shot near the Moda Center after comedian Nick Cannon’s Wild N’ Out show. Around 11:35 p.m. on Friday, a Portland police officer was on patrol at NE Multnomah and Wheeler when he heard and saw a man firing a gun. Authorities said he ran toward the shooter and shouted commands at the suspect, identified as Robert J. James Jr.
Markell and his friend, who was also shot, raced to the emergency room, but Markell didn’t survive.
“He was trying to have a fun night out with his friends and his family,” said Tracy Koch, his adoptive mother.
“Bullets stray and it hits innocent people,” said Tonya, “and we need to put the guns down.”
A woman was also shot and made it to the hospital with serious injuries. James was arrested and booked into Multnomah County on a charge of murder. Tonya hopes they can get justice for Markell’s death.
“I know there is some people out there with information,” Tonya said.
Still, no amount of justice can make up for losing Markell. Family members said the 44-year-old was a father of three, a jokester and someone who gave a lot of joy.
“To have someone like Markell in your life is the best thing you can have happen,” Tracy said. “He was a wonderful person and you know, the stuff is senseless, it’s why, why?”
The senseless is something Kanisha Lomax, Markell’s sister, echoed. “He was loved by many,” she said.
And a day after the shooting happened, the senseless reality is still sinking in with the family.
“I will never get to hold my brother again,” Tonya said.