A Portland man has been sentenced to nearly two decades in prison for killing a drug dealer during a botched fentanyl robbery inside a Southeast Portland tent, bringing closure to a case that initially ended in a mistrial earlier this year.
Fatal Shooting in Southeast Portland
The fatal shooting occurred when 41-year-old Kailen Guffey attempted to rob 57-year-old Abed Fattoum, a known drug dealer, inside Fattoum’s tent. The encounter turned deadly when Guffey opened fire, killing Fattoum during the confrontation.
Prosecutors said Guffey and another individual entered the tent intending to steal fentanyl but the robbery went wrong, leading to gunfire that left Fattoum dead at the scene.
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Jury Deadlock and Plea Deal
The case first went to trial in January, but jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict, resulting in a mistrial. Facing the prospect of another trial, Guffey chose to accept a plea agreement on Monday.
As part of the deal, Guffey pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and first-degree robbery. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison under the terms of the agreement.
Multnomah County prosecutors said the plea ensures accountability while sparing Fattoum’s family the emotional toll of another lengthy trial.
Victim’s Life and Circumstances
Investigators described Fattoum as someone who had long struggled with addiction and homelessness but was well-known within Portland’s unhoused community. His tent, located in Southeast Portland, was a regular meeting spot for others struggling with drug dependency.
Authorities said the shooting underscored the growing dangers tied to Portland’s fentanyl crisis, as disputes over drugs and money have increasingly led to violence in encampments across the city.
Prosecutors Highlight Drug-Related Violence
In court, prosecutors called the killing an example of the “lethal intersection of addiction and desperation” plaguing parts of Portland. “This tragedy is a direct reflection of the chaos fentanyl has brought to our community,” one prosecutor said.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office noted that while Fattoum’s activities were illegal, his death was the result of a premeditated robbery that escalated beyond control.
Moving Toward Closure
With his guilty plea, Guffey will serve his sentence in Oregon Department of Corrections custody, with credit for time already served since his arrest in 2022.
“This case was difficult for everyone involved,” prosecutors said in a statement. “While nothing can undo the loss of life, this outcome brings a measure of justice and finality.”
The sentencing marks another grim chapter in Portland’s ongoing struggle with drug-related violence — a crisis that continues to unfold across the city’s streets and homeless encampments.
