PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man who was previously charged with murder two separate times is now facing charges for a deadly shooting in the Buckman neighborhood.
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) announced Thursday that Nathaniel Freeman was charged in the murder of 30-year-old Ny’cole Lashawne Griffin.
In the early hours of April 24, authorities say Freeman shot Griffin near SE 9th and Ash. A friend reportedly drove Griffin to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Nearly a week later, PPB says Freeman shot Morgan “Max” Victor inside a Southeast Portland apartment. Authorities arrested and charged Freeman for the murder of Victor in early May.
Freeman was also charged with murder in 2008 after he allegedly shot and killed a youth sports coach near the UC Berkley campus in central California.
“We know there’s a small number of people committing a large number of shootings,” said Sgt. Kevin Allen with PPB. “They’re a danger to our public, and we want to make sure we’re addressing that.”
PPB says in total, there have been 39 homicides in Portland so far this year — 37 of which were shootings. Officials also tell KOIN 6 News that since forming in January, PPB’s FIT officers have seized 30 firearms based on their investigations, and have assisted other units with an additional 38 gun seizures.
Freeman was arraigned Wednesday for Murder in First Degree, Murder in Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Firearm), and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
KOIN 6 News’ Liz Burch contributed to this report.