Deadly shooting and attempted carjacking in Russell leads to arrest

Here’s what officials are saying about these two apparently-related incidents in outer East Portland – both by a violent suspect with a gun – who is arrested in Parkrose …

Officers close off the parking lot at the Russell neighborhood WinCo store, after a person has been found shot to death, and another was carjacked.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

One person was shot to death inside the WinCo Foods store, along NE 122nd Avenue, at San Rafael Street, and just after, another victim was carjacked, on Wednesday evening, March 17, in the store’s parking lot.

It didn’t take long for the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers to find the victim, after they were dispatched to the “Shooting-with Weapon” call at 9:56 p.m.

A murder investigation gets underway in this WinCo Foods store, after a man is shot and killed by an acquaintance.

“Arriving officers located a victim, who was deceased,” a PPB official confirmed. “Officers learned that, a short time after the shooting, in the grocery store parking lot, a suspect robbed a driver of their car at gunpoint; but the carjacking victim was not hurt.” No suspect was located at that time.

Shot by long-time acquaintance
On March 18, officials revealed that the homicide victim was identified as 60-year-old Jay Underwood. The medical examiner determined he died of a gunshot wound, and ruled the death a homicide.

Underwood was shot and killed inside a WinCo near NE 122nd on Wednesday night. The 60-year-old was a husband of more than 20 years, the family handyman and a friend to many people.

Reportedly PPB Homicide Division detectives learned that the suspect, later identified as 38-year-old Blake Maurice Daniels, drew a pistol from under his jacket, and shot Underwood while inside the store. Family members said that Underwood and Daniels had known each other for some time, and that the two had gone to the WinCo together that evening.

Detectives are still looking for a dark green 2003 Subaru Forester, similar to this example image; this is NOT the actual vehicle.

The vehicle that was taken in that carjacking is still missing, and the Portland Police Bureau is requesting help from the public to locate it.

It is a 2003 Subaru Forester, dark green in color, with a light bar on the roof, with Oregon license plate 605 JWW. If you spot it, please call 9-1-1 to have an officer respond.

Officers gather outside of a large Parkrose area motel, ready to move in, and help take a suspect into custody.

Suspect located at Parkrose motel
The following morning, at 8:12 a.m., a North Precinct officer on patrol responded to a “suspicious circumstances” call at the Rodeway Inn / Quality Inn motel, located between NE Sandy Boulevard and Killingsworth Street. The officer ultimately detained Daniels.

PPB Homicide Division detectives responded and investigated and determined that Daniels was the person suspected to be responsible for the homicide as well as the subsequent carjacking.

Being held on three Felony charges, including Second Degree Murder, is 38-year-old Blake Maurice Daniels. MCDC booking photo

Detectives arrested and booked Daniels into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) on March 18 at 8:08 p.m. on charges of Murder in the Second Degree, Robbery in the First Degree, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a Firearm. At his arraignment, Daniels learned that he’d face all three Felony charges and is currently lodged in the MCDC in lieu of $255,000 combined bail.

If you have any information about these violent crimes, contact Detective Brad Clifton at Brad.Clifton@portlandoregon.gov, or at 503-823-0696, or contact Michael Greenlee at Michael.Greenlee@portlandoregon.gov, or at 503-823-0871.

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