PORTLAND, Ore. – Police have identified the two men killed in separate homicides in Portland over the weekend, marking the city’s 32nd and 33rd killings of the year.
Saturday Morning Shooting
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) said 32-year-old Cesar Alejandro Cuevas-Morales, of Venezuela, was shot and killed early Saturday morning.
Officers responded around 3:40 a.m. to the 3400 block of Southeast 130th Avenue, where they found Cuevas-Morales dead at the scene.
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No arrests have been announced in connection with his killing, and police have not released details about possible suspects or motives.
Sunday Stabbing at Dawson Park
Just over 24 hours later, another killing was reported across the city.
On Sunday afternoon around 1:15 p.m., officers were called to Dawson Park in North Portland, where witnesses reported a disturbance that included a gunshot.
Responding officers found 57-year-old Talmage L. Ellis seriously injured from stab wounds. Emergency responders rushed him to Emanuel Hospital, but he later died from his injuries.
The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Ellis died from multiple stab wounds.
Police arrested 50-year-old Jermaine D. McKenzie in connection with the case. He remains in custody as the investigation continues.
Rising Tally of Homicides
These two weekend homicides bring Portland’s 2025 tally to 33 killings. Another fatal shooting reported Tuesday in the St. Johns neighborhood could raise that total to 34, pending the medical examiner’s review.
While the numbers remain troubling, police note that overall homicides are significantly lower than in recent years.
At this point in 2024, Portland had recorded 58 homicides.
The city saw historic spikes during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic, when gun violence surged to record highs. In the last two years, however, the number of killings has dropped as law enforcement and community programs have increased intervention efforts.
Community Impact
Both killings underscore the continuing challenges Portland faces as it works to bring down violent crime.
Cuevas-Morales’s death highlights ongoing gun violence in East Portland neighborhoods, while Ellis’s killing at a popular public park raises concerns about safety in communal gathering spaces.
Police said both investigations remain active, and they are asking for the public’s help.
Anyone with information about either case is urged to contact the Portland Police Bureau’s homicide detectives.
Conclusion
With three homicides reported in just four days, Portland’s struggle with violent crime remains in the spotlight. Authorities stress that while the total number of killings is down from last year, the impact of each loss is profound, both for families and the broader community.
