PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Prosecutors are fighting to keep two accused murderers locked up pending trial.
Javiar Fernando Hernandez and Ronald Clayton Rhodes have both been charged with the death of Kyle Polk on December 16, 2015. Polk died from a single gunshot wound to the chest, Multnomah County deputy DA Eric Zimmerman said.
Five 9mm shell casings were recovered by detectives at the scene.
That day, Polk and another man were at the Plaid Pantry at Southeast 112th and Division waiting for a female acquaintance, PPB homicide detective Brad Clifton testified Thursday. The plan, according to the detective, was for the group to smoke marijuana.
The bureau identified 2 separate videos of the homicide.
In one of the videos from the Plaid Pantry, Polk and his friend could be seen standing near the store’s dumpster. As they are standing, the video shows a white SUV pull up to the scene. Zimmerman described the vehicle as moving “slowly.”
Clifton said the gunfire came from the passenger side of the white SUV. Following the shots, the video shows the SUV taking off.
Immediately after the shooting, Polk was able to get up and run about 30 feet before he collapsed and died, Clifton testified.
As he collapsed, a vehicle pulled into the parking lot. The people inside that vehicle heard the shooting, looked over and saw the shooting occurring and then saw the vehicle take off, Clifton said.
It was by “happenstance” that the people inside the vehicle knew Polk, Clifton said.
An ambulance was nearby and was flagged down. The crew started to perform medical aid on Polk, but he died on scene.
Several days after the homicide, a person with information on the case came forward and identified Hernandez and Rhodes as being involved with the homicide. The witness provided information that had not earlier been released by police.
Police determined Hernandez was the shooter and Rhodes was the driver of the white SUV.
According to Clifton, Rhodes’ girlfriend was the one who rented the vehicle that was used in the homicide.
Police have disclosed that both suspects are Hoover gang members and that Polk was affiliated with Rollin 60’s gang.