A 12-year-old boy and Hillsboro man are dead after a murder-suicide at a home in the Damascus area this week, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.
At about 6 p.m., deputies responded to the report of a restraining order violation at a home on Southeast Delia Street north of Damascus. About the same time, several neighbors called 911 and reported seeing a man with a gun in the area.
As deputies approached the home on foot a few minutes later, they said a vehicle sped past them toward the house. Deputies shot out two of the vehicle’s tires after it failed to stop for law enforcement, but it still continued on its way to the home.
By the time the deputies reached the house, the driver — who turned out to be a “concerned family member,” police said — had already gone inside. The man was later identified by KOIN 6 News as the minor victim’s father, Patrick Landers Sr.
Inside the house, deputies found a boy and a man, identified as 34-year-old Rickoshay Allen Kerr, of Hillsboro, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving attempts, both were declared dead at the scene.
Two dogs were also found shot and killed inside the house.
Investigators said they believe the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide by Kerr, whom they think entered the house by ramming his vehicle through a closed gate and then into the garage.
Police did not name the minor victim, but the boy’s bother identified him as Patrick Landers Jr., a student at Alice Ott Middle School, to several Portland-area media outlets.
“My son was such a kind sweet boy,” she said in a statement to FOX 12 News. “He loved his family his friends, football, basketball and video games.”
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office homicide and violent crimes unit, the Clackamas County Interagency Major Crimes Team and the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office are continuing to investigate the incident.
Anyone in need of support related to family violence can reach out to A Safe Place Family Justice Center at 503-655-8600 or the Clackamas Women’s Services 24-Hour Crisis Line at 503-654-2288.
