UPDATE 3/13/23: The subject who was detained in this case is Yabets Ayele, 32, from Forest Grove. He has been charged with murder II in the death of the victim, Nico Merritt, 27, from Portland. Ayele is also facing charges of attempting to elude and driving while suspended.

If you were in the area of 99W between Walnut and Park around 1am Saturday and may have seen or heard something connected with this investigation, call our tip line at 503-718-COPS or email tips@tigard-or.gov. You can remain anonymous.

ORIGINAL 3/11/23: The Tigard Police Department is investigating the death of a person found in Tigard in a shared parking lot at 13075 SW Pacific Highway with a fatal gunshot wound.

It was reported via 9-1-1 at 1:05 am this morning that a male had suffered a gunshot wound and that the suspect had left in a vehicle.  Officers arrived on scene and located the fatally injured male as reported and attempted to perform life saving measures but were unsuccessful. 

While officers were responding the suspect vehicle was located traveling northbound on SW Pacific Highway away from the scene.  Officers were able to stop the vehicle after a short pursuit which ended on SW Main Street near the intersection with SW Scoffins Street.  

At this scene, officers detained two occupants following a high-risk traffic stop without any use of force.  One of occupants was identifiedas the suspect and has been detained while the investigation continues. 

Detectives with the Tigard Police Department and Washington County Major Crimes Team are still investigating, but currently all indications are the shooting was an isolated incident and no further danger to the public exists. 

Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this shooting death, and the decedent is not being identified at this time until next of kin can be contacted.

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