Tameka Hartley

Do you know who murdered Tameka Rene Hartley in 2005?
On a cold Friday evening in Portland, Oregon, the life of Tameka Rene Hartley, a 25-year-old Black woman, was brought to a sudden and violent end in the one place she should have been safest: her own home. The devastating events unfolded in a quiet residential neighborhood, leaving behind a legacy of unanswered questions and a family grappling with an immense loss that remains unresolved to this day.

The date was January 21, 2005, and at approximately 7:15 p.m., Tameka was standing on the front porch of her residence at 5904 NE 9th Avenue. At that moment, witnesses observed a dark-colored, small to mid-sized two-door car driving slowly northbound along the street. Suddenly, the calm was shattered by the sound of gunfire. Multiple shots—witnesses reported hearing about six—were fired from the passenger side of the vehicle, striking Tameka where she stood. The car was then seen speeding away, continuing north on 9th Avenue and disappearing into the night.

Emergency services were dispatched to the scene immediately. Paramedics arrived to find Tameka critically wounded. They worked quickly to provide life-saving care before rushing her to a local hospital. Despite the urgent efforts of the medical team, Tameka succumbed to the gunshot wound while she was in surgery. Her life was over, and a homicide investigation was just beginning.

The Portland Police Bureau launched an investigation into the shooting, with detectives canvassing the neighborhood for information. The description of the suspect vehicle provided a crucial, yet ultimately frustrating, lead. The motive for the shooting remained unclear, and no suspects were publicly identified in the immediate aftermath. The brazen nature of the drive-by shooting sent a wave of shock and fear through the community, which was left to wonder why a young woman would be targeted in such a ruthless attack at her own front door.

As days turned into years, Tameka Hartley’s case grew cold. With no arrests made and leads exhausted, the investigation was eventually transferred to the Portland Police Bureau's Cold Case Homicide Unit. This specialized team is tasked with re-examining unsolved murders, hoping that new technology, fresh eyes, or a long-overdue witness statement might finally provide the breakthrough needed to deliver justice. Investigators continue to believe that someone in the community holds the key piece of information that could solve the case.

The case of Tameka Rene Hartley is a painful reminder of a life cut tragically short. For over a decade, her loved ones have waited for answers, while the person or people responsible for her death have remained free. The sense of loss is compounded by the lack of resolution, a wound that cannot fully heal as long as justice remains unserved.

As of June 2015, the investigation into Tameka’s murder is ongoing. Crime Stoppers of Oregon is offering a cash reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to an arrest in this or any other unsolved felony crime. Investigators urge anyone with knowledge about the shooting, the vehicle, or the individuals involved to come forward. The Portland Police Bureau’s Cold Case Homicide Unit can be reached directly at (503) 823-0400, or anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers.