PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Jose Chavez said his son Alex Martinson “was a good boy” who not only knew his accused killer — they were best friends, like brothers.

Jaizion Nathaniel Propps, 20, is charged with 2nd-degree murder in the June 19 shooting that killed Martinson, who was 19. Just before 10 p.m. that night, Martinson was shot in the area of N. Columbia Way and Midway Avenue. The Fairview resident was rushed to an area hospital for treatment of his wounds but died later.

Propps is also charged with unlawful use of a weapon.

“He was just with the wrong friends because he was a good boy. In my heart I know that,” Chavez told KOIN 6 News. “They were supposed to be brothers. He was his best friend.”

“I would say my hope for this tragedy is I hope that people learn from it and stop the gun violence because the gun violence is out of control.”

Stacy Lay

Chavez and his girlfriend, Stacy Lay, were celebrating his birthday in Lincoln City when they got a phone call from Chavez’s daughter.

Jaizion Nathaniel Propps, July 5, 2021 (Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office)

“She said my son got shot,” he said.

The deadly shooting was spurred by arguments on social media, Chavez and Lay said.

“They’re impulsive. They don’t realize their actions are going to follow them for the rest of their lives,” Lay said.

They described Martinson as a hard worker who had a landscaping job.

“He was doing good and I said, ‘Man, you’re doing good. But what about your friends?'” Chavez said. “I said, ‘Look, you need to stay away from these guys. They’re not your friends.'”

The teen was about to become a father, Chavez and Lay said. His girlfriend is 2 months pregnant.

“The last message he sent her was how much he loved her,” Lay said.

  • Alexander Martinson was shot to death June 19, 2021 in Portland. He was 19. (Undated. Courtesy Jose Chavez)
  • Two of the tattoos on Alexander Martinson, who was shot to death June 19, 2021 in Portland. He was 19. (Undated. Courtesy Jose Chavez)

Alex Martinson was an organ donor. Doctors told Chavez a transplant recipient already received his heart.

They also said their family and police believe more people were involved in Martinson’s death. They want anyone who knows anything to help the investigation.

“(The police have) done an amazing job working around the clock on the case. We’re very thankful for that,” Lay said. “I would say my hope for this tragedy is I hope that people learn from it and stop the gun violence because the gun violence is out of control.”