Portland Man Indicted for Killing a Security Guard in a Hail of Bullets in the Buckman Neighborhood

PORTLAND, Ore. — On Wednesday, a Multnomah County Grand Jury indicted 28-year-old Mamedee S. Keita of Portland on charges related to the murder of security guard Walter E. Mulberry (49) on 7 July 2024, according to a news release from the Portland Police Bureau.

A 17-Year-Old Teenager was Injured

The shooting took place in the 100 block of Southeast Ninth Avenue in the Buckman neighborhood.

Mulberry died and a teenager was injured in a hail of bullets fired from a moving car. The shooting took place in the early hours of the morning when Portland Central Precinct officers arrived on the scene.

The two shooting victims were transported by ambulance to hospital and, despite efforts by hospital staff to save the security guard, Mulberry died shortly after admittance. The 17-year-old teenager survived his injuries.

Officers found evidence that dozens of rounds were fired, striking several parked cars and other objects.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect fired from a moving vehicle at people on the sidewalk. The suspect fled the scene before police were called.

Keita was indicted on charges of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, 12 counts of  recklessly endangering another person, and possession of a loaded firearm in public (city code)

Suspect was Already in Custody on Unrelated Armed Robbery Charges

Keita was already in custody on unrelated charges for an armed robbery of a convenience store in the 4500 block of Southwest Vermont Street on 14 April 2024.

He was arrested on 13 September 2024 at Northwest Vaughn Street and Northwest 27th Avenue by members of the Portland Police Homicide Unit and Major Crimes Unit, assisted by the Special Emergency Reaction Team and the Crisis Negotiation Team.