PORTLAND – A 22-year-old man died after being shot Thursday afternoon in the parking lot of an Aloha grocery store.
The victim was identified as 22-year-old Ryan Lee Johnson.
"He's gone and all we have is our memories," said the victim's mother, Amy Johnson.
Jeff Brian Johnson, 52, was accused of murder and unlawful use of a weapon. He pleaded not guilty in court Friday. His daughter is the mother of the victim's child.
A vigil was planned for the victim Saturday night at Aloha High at 8 p.m.
A witness said the suspect drove up in a car and opened fire on the victim not far from the entrance of the store on Farmington Road around 4 p.m.
Sherwood and Beaverton police and sheriff's deputies later stopped a suspect vehicle and took one person into custody following a high-risk stop of the car, Thompson said.
A number of people either witnessed the shooting or saw the suspect drive away, Washington County Sgt. David Thompson said.
Randall Ramey told KGW that he heard five gunshots in rapid succession, then saw a man tear out of the parking lot in a car.
”We were just shocked,” employee Angie Schuler said. “It’s hard to believe that something like happens in the course of every day … you get up and go to work, you don’t expect something like that to happen.”
Last fall, a restraining order was briefly filed by the suspect's daughter against Ryan Johnson, and he was also convicted of telephonic harassment against her.
Ryan Johnson recently posted a message on facebook stating that Jeff offered him $50,000 to sign over his parental rights. Amy Johnson believes the custody dispute was motive for murder.
"Ryan wanted to be a father," said Amy. "He wasn't going to give up."
KGW Reporter Mark Hanrahan contributed to this report
KGW Reporter Mike Benner contributed to this report
