PORTLAND, Ore. — A man was shot and killed Thursday night after a "disturbance" in Southeast Portland's Mt. Scott-Arleta neighborhood, Portland police said.
Around 11:44 p.m., police officers responded to the area of Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Knight Street, where someone reported that shots were fired and a person was hit. Police officers found a man dead at the scene.
Police identified the man July 10 as Hunter Sutherland Lantz Hecker, 30, of Portland. The county medical examiner's office confirmed that Hecker's death was a homicide by gunshot. Hecker's family was notified of his death and provided a photo of him to police.
On July 17, Portland police arrested 18-year-old Adrian G. Garcia on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon.
According to a statement released by Hecker's family, he and his girlfriend were out at a bar near their home when he was shot out front "in a senseless act of violence." He died in his girlfriend's arms on the sidewalk, the statement said.
Hecker was originally from Princeton, New Jersey, and his family said that he moved to Portland for the city's vibrant food scene and outdoor recreation. He attended the Oregon Culinary Institute in 2017 and later worked at several restaurants, including Urdaneta in the Alberta Arts District. He most recently worked at Silk Road in the Pearl District, his family said, where he helped to create the bar's cocktail menu.
"Hunter’s gentle spirit, kind heart, and love for his craft have left a lasting impact on all who knew him. His smile and zest for life will be forever missed by his family and friends, who cherish him deeply," the statement reads. "The Hecker family is shocked by the sudden death of Hunter and are searching for answers."
Homicide detectives with the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) are investigating. Police have not released any other information about what led up to the deadly shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sean Macomber at Sean.Macomber@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0404, or Detective Eric McDaniel at Eric.McDaniel@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0833, and reference case number 24-159685.