PORTLAND, Oregon — Family and friends are mourning the loss of a Portland children's book author Montrell "Trell" Goss, who was shot and killed Friday night at Lariat Lounge, after police say he got into an argument with another man.
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) are investigating what happened at the bar that led up to the shooting. They tell KGW there was some sort of argument inside, then Goss left the bar, went to his car, retrieved a gun and returned to the bar. That's when shots were fired.
This is something his family is still processing.
“It's a tragic loss obviously not just for family, but for the whole city,” said Martae Brown, Goss' younger cousin. "Somebody with that spirit. Somebody with that kindness. Somebody with that energy. Somebody with that humanity, peace about him I would have never in a million years thought that this would happen."
PPB say they found Goss inside the bar and began life-saving measures until first responders arrived — though he passed away hours later in the hospital.
Family members say Goss had published more than ten children's books, all dealing with the same theme — a coyote that was misunderstood.
"I loved his books, I love the things that he stood for and the community. I mean, so many kids and so many families were affected by him," said Brown. "In North Portland particularly, but all over the city too. [He's] just one of those community icons [that] will never be forgotten."
Goss too spent several years reading children's books at literacy events — including the Black Parent Initiative (BPI). An organization that focuses on Black literacy and gifting books from authors that look like Goss.
"You never expect this to be the outcome of something just so senseless," said Leigh Bohannon, community outreach and resource manager at BPI. "He was one of the most caring people I have ever met."
Bohannon tells KGW, Goss was more than a children's book author. She said he was everything embodied about being a public service person — it was who he was."
"His spirit was so engaging," said Bohannon. "The kids loved it. He was one of the best author presentations that we’ve had. He had big poster boards so kids could follow along while he read."
Goss' family tells KGW they are determined to keep his mission alive in providing literacy to their community. Brown said this has sparked a fire inside to write children's books of his own in memory of Goss.
"If you ever ran across him, if you ever met him, if he ever influenced you in any way," said Brown. "Continue his legacy by showing love and spreading that kindness, we're gonna keep his character "Triple C" alive in his book."
Portland police said two guns were recovered from the scene, and add that at this stage in the investigation, no one has been charged or arrested. While PPB and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office are in agreement on this decision, all evidence will be presented to a grand jury in the very near future.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Detective Eric McDaniel at Eric.McDaniel@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0833. Detective Sean Macomber at Sean.Macomber@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0404 and reference case number 24-26686.