Edward James Black, known as Ed, was 50 when he was shot in the pre-dawn hours of May 5, 1991, on the 4950 block of North Kerby Avenue in Portland. Neighbors heard a single gunshot about 3:15 a.m., found him collapsed in the street and bleeding heavily, and first responders pronounced him dead at the scene. Authorities treated the death as a homicide from the start.

In the weeks before the shooting Black had been living out of a van nearby and was well known in that small neighborhood; he sometimes drank to excess and could become belligerent when intoxicated. Despite nearby residents hearing the shot and coming out quickly, police did not announce a suspect description or motive, and no arrests were made. The investigation was later assigned to the Cold Case Homicide Unit and remains open, with Crime Stoppers offering up to a $2,500 reward for tips.

If anyone remembers the pre-dawn activity on North Kerby Avenue or knew Ed’s routines and contacts in that neighborhood, detectives welcome information that could identify the shooter and bring this case to resolution.