PORTLAND, Ore. — Kamari Gates appeared in court Friday afternoon, pleading not guilty to several charges related to a deadly shooting that occurred Tuesday near Southeast 136th and Knight Street.
Police had urged residents to stay indoors while searching for Gates, who had turned himself in and was then arrested on Thursday.
Just three days after losing their loved one, LaToya M. Hill's family is grappling with deep pain and disbelief, particularly affecting her young daughter, Calizia McGruder.
"He just goes up and kills her. I'm never, ever going to see her again," Calizia said.
Danielle McGruder, Hill's fiancé, recounted the traumatic moment: "I heard gunshots and rushed toward the front door. I saw smoke by my front door. I looked out the window and saw a boy I know standing there with an automatic gun, shooting at me."
Danielle identified the shooter as Kamari Gates, a former family friend. He had known their family well and had a brother who once lived with them.
"I couldn’t believe it. I thought, 'Kamari is not shooting at me right now? Where's Toya? Oh my God, he shot Toya!'" Danielle recalled, adding, "I just dropped. If I hadn’t, I think he would’ve known I wasn’t dead and could have shot me."
Once Gates appeared to leave, Danielle rushed to Hill and called the police.
"I just applied pressure and told her to keep moving her mouth so I knew she was here. I kissed her," she said.
Hill was taken to Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) for treatment but died Tuesday afternoon.
Her parents, Ruby and Marvin Hill, are devastated, having just spent time with her days before enjoying a football game and barbecue.
"I'm damn angry. You took my daughter away from me for nothing," Ruby said. "You are a murderer, and you're going to lose your life, too. You are only 18!"
The family wants Hill to be remembered as loving, free-spirited and a phenomenal basketball player who enjoyed mentoring kids.
"She played basketball, and a lot of people got to know her through that," Marvin said. "She just loved everybody and loved life. It’s just a shame what happened to her."
In the wake of this tragedy, Hill's family has opened a GoFundMe to help them during this difficult time. They are inviting everyone to celebrate her life at a ceremony next Saturday at Peninsula Park.