Portland, Oregon—A man already facing charges for murder has now been indicted in connection with an unrelated homicide that occurred in 2022. Alexander Warren, 36, was charged in the Jan. 28 killing of 26-year-old Jaquan Jenkins, a shooting that unfolded in the city’s Old Town neighborhood.
Warren faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Police discovered Jenkins at approximately 2 a.m. with a gunshot wound near Northwest 2nd Avenue and Couch Street. Despite being rushed to a local hospital, Jenkins succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses at the scene reported that the shooting followed an altercation outside a nearby bar, where tensions escalated after an argument between Jenkins and another individual. Eyewitness accounts indicated that a man emerged from a vehicle and fired a single shot from an AR-style rifle around 2:15 a.m.
Since August 2022, Warren has been incarcerated, having been arrested for the May 24, 2023, shooting death of Jessie Marks. That incident took place near Northeast Glisan Street and 55th Avenue. His trial for Marks’ alleged murder is set to begin in March, as noted in court documents.
The recent indictment regarding Jenkins’ murder does not disclose how authorities connected Warren to the case or clarify any possible motives behind the violent act. Jenkins was one of 101 homicide victims in Portland during a year marked by the highest number of killings in the city’s history.
As investigations proceed, the community grapples with the ongoing issue of gun violence. Local leaders continue to call for enhanced safety measures and resources aimed at reducing crime rates. The continued spate of violent incidents has spurred conversations about the need for more effective interventions and support systems.
In light of these developments, residents are left to contemplate the underlying factors contributing to such tragic events, raising awareness about the urgent need for a collective response to prevent future violence.