PORTLAND, Ore. — A mother is still searching for answers nearly nine years after her son was shot and killed in downtown Portland.
Dion Matthews Jr. was gunned down on the night of Oct. 18, 2015, following a concert at Dante's, a music venue located off Southwest 3rd Avenue and Burnside Street.
Portland police reported that witnesses saw people fleeing the area and vehicles speeding away from the parking lot — yet almost a decade later, detectives have made little progress in the case.
Taunya Mayo, Matthews's mother, remains determined to find justice.
“It won’t bring back my child, my baby, my one and only son,” she said, “but at the same time, I want to ensure that no other mother or father goes through this pain like me.”
Mayo reflected on her loss, stating, “I know we all have an expiration date, but his date was not supposed to end early. It just was not supposed to happen. And I am struggling because I want answers. I want to know why.”
Previous reports on Dion's death led to an anonymous tip from someone who claimed to be with him during his last moments. Portland police urge anyone with information about his murder to come forward and are offering a reward of $2,500 for any information leading to an arrest or conviction.
More Than A Number aims to help give a face and a voice to victims and families impacted by tragedies. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a homicide and would like to share your story, you can reach out to us by sending an email to morethananumber@kgw.com.