Tragic Death of Oregon Pastor During Home Invasion
An Oregon pastor was tragically killed in November while trying to protect his family, including his 4-year-old grandson, during a home invasion. This shocking incident involved five armed teenagers who claimed to be police officers.
On Tuesday, five suspects were indicted for the murder of Kevin Cooper, who was a respected pastor in Portland. He was shot multiple times just after midnight on November 1, at his residence on Southeast Ramona Street, according to officials from the Portland Police.
Family members of the 57-year-old pastor recounted how the assailants began banging on his door, presenting themselves as police officers before forcibly entering the home.
In a courageous act, Cooper shielded his young grandson from the attackers before he was ultimately shot in front of his family. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition and, sadly, passed away over a month later on December 12 due to complications from his injuries.
The authorities classified his death as a homicide resulting from gunshot wounds.
Cooper’s family remembered him as a loving grandfather, a devoted pastor, and a man of faith. His brother, Albert, reflected on his character, describing him as someone who “feared God and did everything right.”
Relatives have maintained that Cooper did not know the suspects and believe the shooting was random, which adds further sorrow to the tragedy.
Prosecutors have connected this deadly home invasion to a rising trend of violence among youth and young adults. Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer emphasized that Cooper should still be alive today—mentioning his family and community—and expressed a commitment to seek justice for them.
The two oldest suspects, Zaire Eugene Carter and Taydavion Koshawn Barton, both 19, were already in jail on unrelated charges at the time of the shooting.
Police executed multiple search warrants shortly after the incident, leading to the grand jury’s indictment of Carter, Barton, along with Jayden Joseph Salinana, 18, and Jordan Cornelius Perkins, 18, for Cooper’s murder.
Additionally, a 17-year-old male was arrested and charged with home invasion resulting in death.
Carter and Barton face charges of first-degree murder, burglary, and theft, along with previous charges for attempted murder, recklessness, and unlawful firearm possession in Portland.
The other three suspects were charged with second-degree murder, assault, reckless endangerment, and illegal vehicle use. Perkins was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service earlier this month.
Currently, the four adult suspects remain in Multnomah County Jail without bail, while the minor is held in a juvenile facility. All suspects have entered not guilty pleas.
Portland Police Chief Bob Day expressed profound sorrow over Cooper’s death, labeling it a tragedy and hoping that the recent arrests might bring some measure of healing for his family.
