PORTLAND, Ore. — A quiet Saturday evening in Northwest Portland turned grim after a woman was found shot to death inside a parked vehicle, prompting a homicide investigation.
According to the Portland Police Bureau, officers were dispatched just after 5 p.m. to reports of a person found unresponsive inside a car near Northwest Kearney Street between 22nd and 23rd Avenues. When they arrived, they discovered a 39-year-old woman who had sustained gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities later identified the victim as Krystal Lynne Pendergraph, a Portland resident. The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be homicide by gunshot following an autopsy conducted Sunday morning.
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Crime Scene and Investigation
Police quickly cordoned off the block as homicide detectives and forensic teams processed the area. Officers spent hours collecting evidence and canvassing nearby businesses and homes for security footage or witnesses who might have seen or heard the shooting.
Neighbors described the area as typically peaceful and were shocked by the heavy police presence. “You just don’t expect something like this here,” said one resident, who declined to be identified. “There are families, kids, and shops—it’s normally a really safe neighborhood.”
Detectives have not released details about a potential suspect or motive, and no arrests have been made as of Sunday evening. Investigators are urging anyone with information or surveillance video from the area to contact the Portland Police homicide unit.
A City Struggling With Gun Violence
The killing marks another tragic incident in Portland’s ongoing struggle with gun violence. The city has seen a concerning rise in homicides in recent years, though police data show a slight decline in 2025 compared to previous highs. Still, officials say even isolated incidents like this one shake community confidence and deepen concerns about public safety.
Community leaders have repeatedly called for both stronger law enforcement efforts and broader social programs to address the underlying causes of violence.
Ongoing Investigation
As of now, police have not confirmed whether Pendergraph knew her attacker or if the shooting was random. Forensic evidence gathered at the scene is being processed, and detectives are reviewing potential links to other unsolved shootings in the area.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Portland Police Detective Division through their tip line or Crime Stoppers of Oregon.
The investigation remains active, and updates will be released as new information becomes available.
Authorities are reminding residents that even small details—such as dashcam footage or observations near the time of the incident—could prove vital to solving Krystal Pendergraph’s killing.
