A shooting in Southeast Portland’s Buckman neighborhood left 45-year-old Donny M. Calabaza dead on the night of August 18, 2024. Police found Calabaza’s body at about 10:11 p.m. at Southeast Washington Street and Southeast 9th Avenue; the Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide from a gunshot wound.

Calabaza, a man of Indigenous descent who grew up on the Navajo reservation, was active in Portland’s Indigenous community and attended powwows, ceremonies, and sweat lodge circles. Friends called him generous and supportive of Native organizations; his sister Dushonia Calabaza described him as the backbone of the family. He is survived by a 17-year-old son who lived in Portland. The family requested privacy and shared a photograph publicly to help the investigation.

Portland Police Bureau Homicide detectives are investigating. No arrests have been announced and no suspects have been publicly identified. Anyone who knew Donny or has information about the shooting is asked to come forward.