Keenan Harpole has been charged in the murder of Portland State University student Amara Marluke murder. According to police reports Keenan Harpole and Amara Marluke were involved in a relationship that ended violently as Keenan would fatally shoot Amara. Keenan Harpole would later turn himself into police and has been charged with econd-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and domestic violence.
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The Portland Police Bureau has identified the woman who was shot and killed in the downtown area early Monday morning.
Police said 19-year-old Amara Marluke died after she was shot near Southwest College Street and Southwest 6th Avenue at about 1 a.m. The medical examiner determined Marluke died from gunshot wounds and ruled her death a homicide.
The suspect, later identified as 20-year-old Keenan Harpole, was not found at the scene.
Later Monday, police said Harpole was taken into custody in Bend. Deschutes County deputies arrested Harpole in the 55000 block of Homestead Way, after he agreed to turn himself in.
Harpole was taken back to Portland and booked into the Multnomah County Jail on charges of murder and unlawful use of a weapon.
Marluke was known for her musical talents and had big plans for the future. She has already released a song on Spotify called ‘Love is Blind’.
“She had a beautiful voice and she told me someone reached out wanting to make a song with her,” Baylie Martin, her friend, said.
Marluke’s estranged, biological mom, Kesha Slowik said in court Tuesday she hopes Harpole never gets the chance to do this to someone else
“I’m just very concerned about if he could do this to one person, he could do this to somebody else. She did not deserve to get shot downtown leaving her work,” Slowik said. It’s just heartbreaking, heart wrenching. She has siblings who don’t get to grow up with her and she doesn’t get to get married and have her own children.”
According to Portland State University, Harpole is a first-year student and former football player. Marluke was also a student at PSU.
PSU President Stephen Percy released at statement Tuesday saying, in part:
“This morning, Portland police confirmed that the shooting victim, Amara Marluke, was also a student. Amara was an artist and an activist and a vibrant member of our community. Her death is mourned by all of us.
I am profoundly affected by the sheer tragedy of this loss. My heart breaks for Amara’s family and for everyone who knew her. I offer my deepest sympathies. We will work together as a campus community to heal.
There are resources within our community for individuals to gather and process their feelings and thoughts with others. I urge students and employees to reach out in the way that they feel is most appropriate.”
Harpole was arraigned Tuesday, at 2 p.m. and charged with second degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon.
No additional details about the investigation have been released by police at this time. Anyone with information about the shooting should contact Portland police.
https://www.kptv.com/2022/04/05/police-identify-19-year-old-woman-killed-downtown-portland-shooting/
