A man is facing murder and bias crime charges related to a January 19th shooting in the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood.
Since the shooting, Homicide Unit detectives have investigated the case, including locating and analyzing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and following up on leads. During that process, they learned the identity of a suspect, Kirk D. Belgarde, 53. Detectives worked with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office to present the case to a Grand Jury and obtain an arrest warrant. The Grand Jury determined, based on the evidence, that Belgarde intentionally caused physical injury to the victim because of his perception of the victim’s race.
On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Portland, the United States Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Force arrested Belgarde on the arrest warrant. He was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on the warrant for Murder in the Second Degree, Bias Crime in the First Degree, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The family of victim Rametheus Hill has been notified of the arrest in the case.
If anyone has information about this case, please contact Detective Brian Sims at Brian.Sims@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-2079, or Detective Meghan Burkeen at Meghan.Burkeen@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-2092. This news release has a corrected case number of 24-14609.
PPB's Major Crimes Unit investigates all reports of bias-motivated crimes and encourages any member of our community who is the victim of such a crime to contact law enforcement. Under Oregon law, bias crimes are defined as any criminal act that targets a victim based on the suspect's perception of the victim's race, color, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or national origin. Detectives work to determine whether or not bias elements are present during the reported crime that align with Oregon law as defined in the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS):
* ORS 166.165 - Bias Crime in the First Degree - https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/166.165
* ORS 166.155 - Bias Crime in the Second Degree - https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/166.155
If you have been the victim of a bias crime assault or you are witnessing one, immediately call 9-1-1. If you have been the victim of a different bias crime, such as vandalism or graffiti, and the suspect is no longer present, please call the non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.
To learn more about bias crime investigations and reported bias/hate crime statistics within the City of Portland, please visit https://www.portland.gov/police/open-data/reported-bias-crime-statistics .
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***Original Release Below***
The person killed in the shooting on Friday, January 19, 2024, has been identified as Rametheus Clenese Hill, 25, of Fairview. His family has been notified of his death and they are requesting privacy at this time.
The Medical Examiner determined Hill died of homicide by gunshot wound.
If anyone has information about this case, please contact Detective Brian Sims at Brian.Sims@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-2079, or Detective Meghan Burkeen at Meghan.Burkeen@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-2092 and reference case number 24-13609.
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***Original Release Below***
A man is deceased after a shooting in the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood.
On Friday, January 19, 2024 at 8:00p.m., East Precinct officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 7700 block of Southeast 82nd Avenue. When they arrived, they found the male victim deceased in the parking lot of a motel.
Portland Police Homicide Unit Detectives are responding to the scene to investigate. During the investigation, Southeast 82nd Avenue is closed between Southeast Flavel Street and Southeast Lambert Street. No immediate arrests were made, and no suspect information is being released at this time.
If anyone has information about this case, please contact Detective Brian Sims at Brian.Sims@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-2079, or Detective Meghan Burkeen at Meghan.Burkeen@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-2092 and reference case number 24-13609.
The PIO is not responding to the scene. More information will be released when appropriate.
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