The man killed in an assault along the Eastbank Esplanade on Friday, March 22, 2024, has been identified as 70-year-old John A. Garcia. His family has been notified of his death. They are requesting privacy at this time, but they did provide the attached photo for public release.
The Medical Examiner determined Garcia died of homicide by blunt force to the head.
If anyone has information about this incident, and has not already spoken to police, please contact Detective Meghan Burkeen at Meghan.Burkeen@police.portlandoregon.gov 503-823-2092 or Detective Brian Sims at Brian.Sims@police.portlandoregon.gov 503-823-2079 and reference case number 24-70278.
Photo description: Portrait of John Garcia
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***Original Messages Below***
The suspect who assaulted a victim early this morning on the Eastbank Esplanade is being booked into jail on a murder charge. Abel Nistor, 29, of Portland, was released from the hospital and Detectives booked him into the Multnomah County Detention Center on a charge of Murder in the Second Degree.
The name of the victim will be released after the medical examiner has determined official cause and manner of death, verified his identity, and the family has had time to make notifications to loved ones.
Preliminary investigation revealed that community members quickly stepped in to address the violent assault, including a waste transportation company employee, an armed security officer who happened to be in the area, and Station 21 firefighters. Central Precinct officers were on scene within 5 minutes of being dispatched.
This remains an open, active investigation. If anyone has information about this incident, and has not already spoken to police, please contact Detective Meghan Burkeen at Meghan.Burkeen@police.portlandoregon.gov 503-823-2092 or Detective Brian Sims at Brian.Sims@police.portlandoregon.gov 503-823-2079. Please reference case number 24-70278.
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***Original Message Below***
A victim is deceased and a suspect is in police custody after an assault on the Eastbank Esplanade.
On Friday, March 22, 2024 at 4:26a.m., Central Precinct officers responded to a report of an assault in progress in the 00 block of Southeast Madison Street. When they arrived they found Portland Fire & Rescue firefighters from Station 21 already on scene, as well as other community members, who had intervened in the assault. Officers detained the suspect. The suspect was transported to the hospital by ambulance and is in police custody. No additional suspects are being sought.
The victim, believed to be an adult male, was deceased on scene.
The Portland Police Homicide Unit is responding to the scene to investigate. During the investigation, the multi-use path on the esplanade is blocked, but no vehicular traffic is affected.
If anyone has information about this incident, please contact Detective Meghan Burkeen at Meghan.Burkeen@police.portlandoregon.gov 503-823-2092 or Detective Brian Sims at Brian.Sims@police.portlandoregon.gov 503-823-2079. Please reference case number 24-70278.
The PIO is not responding to the scene. Additional information will be released as appropriate.
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