SUSPECT CAPTURED! See the update! Why has Crime Stoppers authorized a reward for the murder on Saturday night at Poppa Son’s Bar? A witness says a jilted lover’s jealous rage lead to the stabbing death at this Powellhurst-Gilbert establishment.
Usually folks find fun and relaxation at outer East Portland’s “Poppa Son’s Bar” – but last Saturday night, a pleasant night turned deadly for an East Portland woman.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Saturday nights at Poppa Sons Bar, in the 12500 block of Southeast Powell Boulevard in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood, are filled with the sounds of music, conversation, clinking bar glasses and laughter.
Usually, the worst thing that happens at Poppa Son’s is an off-key karaoke performance by one of the regulars.
But, on December 5, the good times inside the bar went bad – soured by a violent act that took place outside, in the establishment’s parking lot.
Woman stabbed in parking lot
Patron Jana Bush said she and her friends came for the karaoke session, and stepped outside for a smoke while the evening was still young – about 9:30 p.m. Bush told reporters that a couple left the bar and walked outside – when the man’s ex-girlfriend allegedly met the pair head-on and ended up stabbing the young woman he was escorting.
Others who said they witnessed the attack described the assailant as being in a “jealous rage”. The victim, later named as 27-year-old Amanda Sheppard, was rushed to Legacy Emanuel Hospital. “The victim later died from her injuries,” reported Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Michael Marshman.
Portland Police Homicide Detectives kept patrons in the bar until after closing time, as they investigated this murderous incident. “We were all shocked by what happened,” said the bar’s owner, Tom Arndt. “Everyone was really upset, and some were crying. This kind of violence comes as a shock.”
Have you seen this woman? It’s a mug shot from 2006; she’s already well-known to the police. Homicide Detectives say they’re looking for 41-year-old Kristina Collette Landrum, wanted for Aggravated Murder in this case. She was previously convicted of manslaughter in another case a decade ago, and had escaped incarceration twice.
Crime Stoppers offers $1,000 reward
Officials say they have a good idea who allegedly committed the violent act. According to the Bureau’s Public Information Officer, Detective Mary Wheat, “Homicide Detectives are asking the public’s help in locating 41-year-old Kristina Collette Landrum on a Multnomah County arrest warrant for Aggravated Murder that stems from Sheppard’s murder on December 5.”
Wheat said detectives learned that this occasion was the first time all three persons had been together. “The suspect was seen leaving in a blue Suzuki Forenza, Oregon license 513DLP.”
Crime stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1000 to anyone with information that leads to the arrest of Kristina Collette Landrum. Anyone with information should call Crime stoppers at 503-823-HELP. You need not leave your name.
UPDATE December 14:
Det. Wheat told us that today, December 14, approximately 7:30 a.m., Portland Police Officers arrested Kristina Collette Landrum in the area of NE 160th Avenue and NE Everett Court. “Landrum was wanted for aggravated murder stemming from a December 5th stabbing where 27-year-old Amanda Sheppard was killed. Landrum is currently in custody and being held at the downtown Multnomah County Jail and will be arraigned tomorrow.”
A blue Suzuki Forenza, associated with Landrum, was recovered at the scene and is no longer of interest, Wheat added.
© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
click here to subscribe
