Joshua Jeffries was 11 when he was shot and killed inside his Portland home during the early morning hours of August 10, 2001. A back door had been left open because of the warm night, and investigators believe an unknown intruder entered through that unlocked door. Evidence indicates Joshua was shot once while in bed, likely asleep; he staggered into the bedroom of his guardian and aunt, Gayle Hoefert, and collapsed after telling her someone had come into his room. Emergency services were summoned after a neighbor reported a sound like a gunshot, a scream, and dogs barking, but Joshua died at the hospital.

Detectives found no clear motive: Joshua had just finished sixth grade at Lewis Elementary, was described by family as a well-liked child with no gang, drug, or criminal involvement, and there were no known disputes pointing to a reason for such violence. Theories explored included a burglar surprised by Joshua or a mistaken-identity shooting, but no arrests or named suspects have been announced. The case remains unsolved and the Portland Police Bureau Cold Case Unit is asking anyone in the community with information to come forward.