Jose Morales' Murder Was Revenge, Police Say

GRESHAM, OR — New details have been released regarding the shooting death of 17-year-old Jose Ricardo Morales, the Gresham youth who on July 29 was found shot by a single .22 caliber round near Southeast 187th Avenue and Southeast Stark Street.

According to court documents obtained by Patch, Morales appears to have been in an altercation with the individuals accused of murdering him prior to the shooting Saturday evening.

Shortly after 10:30 p.m. July 29, Gresham detectives found Morales dead on the sidewalk near Southeast 187th Avenue. Around the same time, a Gresham officer reportedly pulled over a white Chrysler Sebring, driven by 15-year-old Obed Garcia-Antonio, after the officer witnessed the Sebring run a stop sign at Southeast 187th Avenue and Southeast Yamhill Street — about a quarter-mile from where Morales was shot. Also in the Sebring was 20-year-old Isai Guzman-Ramirez, and brothers Francisco, 16, and Cristian Martinez-Chavez, 17.

The four males were visibly sweaty, police said, and one had blood on him. Using his flashlight, the officer who stopped the Sebring said he saw the trigger assembly and wood stock of a rifle wedged between the front seat and passenger door. As additional officers arrived on-scene, the four suspects were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the shooting.

During their interviews with police, the three of the four suspects admitted to the shooting and explained the events leading up to it.

According to Garcia-Antonio, a dispute earlier in the evening culminated with Morales running up on the Sebring and punching Cristian Martinez-Chavez several times in the face. Police confirmed Cristian had injuries consistent with Garcia-Antonio's story.

After the alleged altercation, the four suspects agreed to go to Guzman-Ramirez's home to retrieve a .22 caliber rifle, police said, "to get (Morales) back for the prior assault."

Police also noted that Garcia-Antonio said Guzman-Ramirez showed Cristian how to use the weapon, and that Francisco encouraged his brother to follow through.

Returning to the area, Garcia-Antonio said he drove the Sebring around looking for Morales and while also waiting for traffic and witnesses to disperse. When the time was right, police said, Garcia-Antonio slowed the Sebring to allow Cristian to fire one round, striking Morales in the right shoulder area.

During their interviews with officers, both Cristian and Francisco reportedly lied about their involvement, while Garcia-Antonio and Guzman-Ramirez were more open with the truth, police said. Eventually, when confronted with physical evidence and witness testimony, Francisco admitted to his involvement and shared what he saw.

During his opportunity to speak, Guzman-Ramirez reportedly told officers that he is a member of the Sureños gang, and that Cristian is "down with the Southside," a subset of the Sureños called Southside 13.

All four suspects have been charged with murder. Their first court appearance was Monday, July 31. All four reportedly pleaded not guilty. A preliminary hearing for Guzman-Ramirez is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Aug. 8.

Photo Courtesy: Multnomah County, mashup courtesy Emma Jehle for Patch News