Gigi Pierce, 28, also known as Jeliza, was killed on a downtown Portland sidewalk late on May 21, 2018. Originally from Boise, Idaho, Pierce was described by friends as someone who often tried to help others. The fatal encounter began as a dispute with an acquaintance, 33-year-old Sophia Adler. A friend who witnessed the incident said the argument started after Pierce told Adler not to touch her; Adler allegedly struck Pierce with her purse, Pierce moved to retaliate, and a single gunshot followed. Pierce was found wounded and died at the scene.

Adler remained at the location and was arrested. She was initially charged with murder but a grand jury declined to indict on that count after hearing testimony that Adler claimed she had acted in self-defense, saying Pierce had threatened her with a knife. The grand jury did indict Adler on a single count of unlawful possession of a firearm because she carried the legally purchased gun concealed without a license. Adler pleaded guilty to that charge and received 100 days in jail with credit for time served, plus two years probation and mandated evaluations and treatment as ordered. Authorities said the investigation did not indicate the killing was bias or hate-related.

Does anyone have information about Pierce’s last hours or knew her in Portland or Boise?