On the afternoon of September 24, 2023, 16-year-old Alexander Ortiz de Jesus of Gresham, Oregon, was shot in the face at very close range near Northeast Division Street and Burnside Road while walking to his cousin’s house. His mother, Artemia de Jesus Ramirez, heard the four gunshots and learned he had been fatally wounded. Alexander was taken to hospital and remained in critical condition for ten days before oxygen ceased to flow to his brain and he died.

A 15-year-old suspect was arrested a week after the shooting and was initially charged with attempted murder and assault; after Alexander’s death those charges were upgraded to murder. Authorities have said they are not seeking any other suspects. The family, including his sister Leticia and father Alejandro, described Alexander as a happy, smiling teenager and have asked that the suspect be tried as an adult; they do not believe Alexander knew his attacker. A GoFundMe page was set up to help with funeral expenses.

If anyone witnessed the shooting near Northeast Division and Burnside Road or has information about that afternoon, please share what is known with the Gresham Police Department.