05:55 PM PST on Tuesday, March 30, 2004

Compiled by kgw.com Staff

The following are statements released Tuesday from Portland Mayor Vera Katz, the African-American Chamber of Commerce and the FBI regarding the police-involved shooting death of Jahar Perez in North Portland on Sunday night:

Portland Mayor Vera Katz:

"Sunday's shooting death by a Portland police officer of Jahar Perez has raised legitimate questions and concerns within our community.

I have asked Chief Derrick Foxworth to move expeditiously to complete the investigation of this incident.

I have also requested that District Attorney Mike Schrunk conduct a public inquest into the death of Mr. Perez, in addition to convening a grand jury.

This incident should be reviewed openly so that the public hears all the relevant information.

Further, I have asked Chief Foxworth to include citizens in the administrative review process that will be conducted by the bureau.

Finally, I ask our community to remain patient and to give Chief Foxworth their support as he deals with this incident in an open and fair manner."

African-American Chamber of Commerce:

The African American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon announced today that their organization intends to ask for an immediate federal investigation into the recent shooting death of a young African American man by a Portland Police Officer.

“We no longer have time for any further commissions, studies and panels”, says Roy Jay, President of the largest ethnic chamber in the State of Oregon. Although the African American Chamber is focused on economic empowerment and development, the organization has a keen responsibility to civil rights enforcement.

JoAnn Bowman, Vice Chair of the Chamber, and former state legislator, said that a federal investigation will bring outside resources to the table immediately and make a complete and thorough investigation. “This is not about police unions protecting their own.. this is about what appears to be a complete violation of civil rights and cold blooded murder in our city”

The city of Portland will not tolerate a six month suspension as what happened in the Kendra James shooting says Harold Williams, chair of the chamber.

The chamber intends to take every effort to press for an immediate investigation and will partner with other organizations and businesses throughout the entire region.

Portland is now on the radar map… and not in a positive way, says Jay. This is not only tragic for our city, but also for our economy.

Federal Bureau of Investigation:

Robert J. Jordan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon, advised today that the FBI has opened a Preliminary Inquiry into the shooting death of James Jahar Perez. Portland Police Chief Derrick Foxworth had requested an independent investigation of the Perez shooting.

This inquiry will be an independent review by the FBI under the Federal color of law, civil rights statute. Under Federal Statute, whenever a law enforcement official, under the color of law, willfully subjects any person to the deprivation of any rights secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States, they shall be fined and/or imprisoned. The length of imprisonment can vary dependent upon the nature of the injuries to the victim.

The results of the Preliminary Inquiry, when completed, will be forwarded to the Department of Justice for review and determination as to whether a full investigation should be conducted.

Due to the on-going nature of this investigation, the FBI will have no further comment at this time.