PORTLAND, Ore. — A suspect wanted for the Dec. 14 killing of a 58-year-old man was arraigned Tuesday, according to the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office. He was arrested on Dec. 29 after shooting at police officers in the Centennial neighborhood of Southeast Portland, according to authorities.
A four-hour standoff between the suspect, 30-year-old Jessie Garza III, and police prompted a shelter-in-place alert for residents in the area on Dec. 28 that was rescinded after his arrest. Garza pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday. He remains in custody, the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office said.
No officers were injured, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) reported.
Garza was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on a warrant for first-degree murder with a firearm, coercion with a firearm, two counts of first-degree burglary with a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. Those charges are related to the Dec. 14 homicide of Richard Newman in Southeast Portland. Garza also faces charges of attempted murder and unlawful use of a weapon for shooting at officers on Thursday night.
Newman was shot in an apartment in the area of Southeast Bush Street and 166th Avenue early in the morning on Dec. 14. He was taken to the hospital but died there "despite lifesaving attempts." The county medical examiner said he died of homicide by gunshot wound.
Thursday's incident started shortly after 8 p.m. when officers responded to a report that Garza had been spotted in the area of Southeast Division Street and 143rd Avenue.
After officers saw him leave an apartment and start to drive away, they used spike strips to deflate the tires of the vehicle Garza was driving. He then drove on the deflated tires to an apartment complex on Southeast 148th Avenue, south of the intersection with Division Street. Police said Garza pulled out a handgun, fired at officers and then ran into an apartment, where he continued to fire at officers.
Police issued a shelter-in-place alert for residents and set up a perimeter between 148th, Division, Southeast Woodward Street and 153rd Avenue. Roads were closed to traffic within the perimeter and residents in the area were asked to remain inside with doors locked and stay away from windows.
The Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT), Crisis Negotiation Team, Air Support Unit and small Unmanned Aerial System (drone) operators were activated for the incident. Gresham police and East Metro Swat also assisted.
At 12:03 a.m., Garza came out of the apartment, surrendered and was arrested, police said.
No officers fired shots during the incident, PPB reported.
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