Five Teens Charged in Deadly Shooting of Oregon Minister Who Died Defending His Family

Five Teens Charged in Oregon Pastor’s Death

Five teenagers have been charged in relation to a shooting that resulted in the death of an Oregon pastor in November 2025.

The Portland Police Department (PPD) reports that Zaire E. Carter, Taydavion C. Barton, Jayden J. Salinana, Jordan C. Perkins, and a yet-to-be-named juvenile have been charged with murder. Specifically, Carter and Barton face first-degree murder charges, while Salinana, Perkins, and the unidentified juvenile are charged with second-degree murder. All five are also facing additional charges, including first-degree robbery.

Authorities suspect the group fatally shot Kevin Cooper in his home on November 1, 2025. According to Cooper’s brother, the teens knocked on the door claiming to be police officers before breaking in. At the time of the incident, Cooper reportedly ran to protect his four-year-old grandson.

Responding officers found Cooper suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, and he succumbed to his injuries on December 12.

Prior to the shooting that claimed Cooper’s life, police arrested Carter and Barton on November 7 on various charges, including attempted murder. The PPD’s Homicide Unit collaborated with the Enhanced Community Safety Team (ECST) and the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) to investigate the case.

On January 6, law enforcement officials executed three search warrants, leading to the arrest of Salinana and the unidentified juvenile on pre-murder charges. Perkins was taken into custody on February 5, 2026, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service.

PPD Chief Bob Day described Cooper’s death as “a tragedy in every sense of the word.” He expressed hope that the arrests might bring some healing to Cooper’s family and commended the detectives and officers involved in the investigation for their efforts.

As reported by KOIN, Carter, Barton, Salinana, and Perkins have pleaded not guilty. They are currently held at the Multnomah County Detention Center, while the unidentified juvenile is in a juvenile detention facility. Police mention that additional charges could be forthcoming against the teens.