PORTLAND, Ore. -- Police arrested a fourth suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of a pregnant Portland woman nearly two years ago.
Homicide detectives arrested Kelani Brown, 24, on June 24. Brown faces one count of murder.
Three additional suspects were indicted in April. The indictment charges 22-year-old DeAnthony Simmons (pictured, right), 22-year-old Geontae Jones (left) and 21-year-old Demetrius Brown.
The killing described by police as gang-related happened about an hour before sunrise on Aug. 17, 2014. Homicide detectives responded to a report of several suspects firing shots at an apartment.
Inside, they found the body of a 21-year-old Ervaeua Herring. She was the mother of a 1-year-old boy and in the early stages of pregnancy.
Jones and Brown pleaded not guilty.
More than 20 family members, friends and supporters came to the courtroom, many wearing shirts commemorating Herring. Afterward, many hugged and shed tears.
"It can’t just be 'let’s rush in and rapid response when something horrible happens', we each and every day have an opportunity just as I’m here to support the family-- every day you have an opportunity to support this community, to support young people in a positive way, said Kimberly Dixon. Dixon's son Andres Prince Dixon who was murdered June of 2013.
One of the accused in Herring's murder, Demetrius Brown, is charged in Dixon's violent death. Dixon has emerged as an outspoken advocate for programs to give youth in Portland positive alternatives to gangs and violence.
