Officials identified a 47-year-old Southwest Washington man as the person fatally shot Wednesday during an apparent road rage incident in downtown Portland.
Ryan Martin was pronounced dead at the scene. A probable cause affidavit states another man, Sam Gomez, was taken to a hospital and underwent surgery after a bullet traveled through his leg and lodged in the femur of his other leg, The Oregonian reported. Portland police said they do not believe Gomez’s injuries are life-threatening.
The alleged shooter, Geoffrey Edward Hammond, a 46-year-old financier, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Multnomah County Circuit Court in Oregon to second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, The Oregonian reported.
Portland police responded at 4:34 p.m. to a report of a shooting at Southwest 10th Avenue and Alder Street.
Hammond had been idling his Mercedes SUV in front of the Moxy Hotel in Portland, partially blocking traffic, and Martin was driving behind him in a Toyota Tundra. The men flipped their middle fingers at each other, and Martin drove his truck around and through the intersection, The Oregonian reported.
Martin then parked, got out of his truck and walked toward Hammond. Hammed began loading his gun as he saw Martin approach, according to court records cited by The Oregonian.
Martin tapped on Hammond’s driver’s side window, and witnesses reported hearing shouting. Hammond then rolled down his window and shot Martin in the chest. Hammond could be seen on video footage trying to shooting Martin again, but his gun malfunctioned. He could be seen trying to fix his gun, The Oregonian reported.
Gomez came out of the Moxy Hotel and began recording on his cellphone from about 15 feet away. Hammond is then accused of shooting Gomez, according to The Oregonian.
Hammond called 911 while driving away and allegedly admitted to shooting both men. He also allegedly said the shooting was justified, but investigators say they found no evidence that would have justified the shooting, The Oregonian reported.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Ryan Foote at ryan.foote@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0781, or Detective Travis Law at travis.law@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0395 and reference case number 23-267039.
