In a tragic road rage incident, a driver allegedly erupted in violence, resulting in the death of a man who confronted him for blocking an intersection. According to a obtained arrest affidavit, the driver also reportedly shot a bystander who attempted to record the incident.
The suspect, identified by Portland, Oregon police as 46-year-old local resident Geoffrey Edward Hammond, allegedly provoked the confrontation on a Wednesday at 4:34 p.m. near Southwest 10th Avenue and Southwest Alder Street. Responding officers found two men with gunshot wounds.
They administered lifesaving measures, but one of the victims, identified as 47-year-old Ryan Martin from Southwest Washington, tragically lost his life at the scene. The other victim was transported to the hospital with injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.
The affidavit stated that Hammond had partially blocked traffic near the Moxy Hotel. Martin drove up behind him, and an exchange of gestures escalated tensions between them. Martin swerved around Hammond's vehicle and confronted him. However, as Martin approached, Hammond allegedly loaded a firearm and shot him in the chest.
Apologizing and saying, "I had a bad day," Martin fell to the ground. According to police, Hammond attempted to fire again, but the firearm malfunctioned, preventing further harm.
Witnesses recounted that Hammond displayed something metallic to Martin, resembling a police badge, while trying to fix the weapon. He allegedly uttered, "You are lucky I didn't shoot you in the heart," and later admitted he might have said, "You are lucky I didn't shoot you in the head."
As the incident unfolded, a bystander began recording on their phone, but Hammond allegedly shot the individual in the leg. Subsequently, Hammond called 911 and confessed to shooting both men. He voluntarily turned himself in on the top floor of a parking garage near a courthouse.
Although Hammond claimed he believed Martin might be planning an ambush, citing military tactics, investigators found no weapons on either victim. Hammond allegedly acknowledged that he had noticed Martin was unarmed.
The family of the victim, Martin, has requested privacy during this difficult time.
Geoffrey Edward Hammond was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of second-degree murder with a firearm, second-degree attempted murder with a firearm, first-degree assault with a firearm, and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon.
It's worth noting that Hammond is reportedly the founder of a commodities future company called Aequantium. Previously known as Jeffrey Edward Mandalis, he faced charges in Illinois, including assault, vandalism, and domestic battery, and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in May.
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