Fatal Vigil Shooting: Chaos Erupts at Portland Gathering, Innocent Bystander Caught in Crossfire
Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Role in Bystander’s Death
Article, A 28-year-old man, Marquise Epps, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in the fatal shooting of an uninvolved bystander, Jimmy Lee Melton. The incident occurred on October 1, 2020, when Epps and others gathered at a trailer park in Portland for a vigil to honor his brother, Michael Epps Jr., who had been killed just hours earlier. In a chaotic scene, shots were fired at the suspected killer, Quentin Blackmon, but a stray bullet struck Melton, killing him.
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Gang Violence Erupts at Vigil, Uninvolved Bystander Killed in Crossfire
The investigation revealed that Epps did not fire the shot that killed Melton, but prosecutors argued that his actions led to the bystander’s death. Blackmon, who is already serving time for another murder, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Michael Epps’ death and has had three trials result in mistrials. The case highlights the devastating consequences of gang violence and the need for community intervention and support.