A beloved children's author from Portland was shot dead during a bar fight, police say. Montrell D. Goss, known for his "Chillin' with the Courageous Coyote" book series, was involved in an argument with another male patron at The Lariat Lounge bar on Southeast Division Street when the fatal incident occurred. According to KOIN, Goss, 37, had stepped outside to retrieve a firearm from his vehicle before re-entering the bar and being shot.
The Portland Police Bureau is investigating the circumstances leading up to the shooting, which happened around 8 p.m. last Friday. After the argument and subsequent gunfire, first responders performed life-saving measures on the scene, but Goss succumbed to his injuries hours later in a hospital. Reports from KGW highlight the family's shock, with Goss' cousin Martae Brown commenting, "It's a tragic loss obviously not just for family, but for the whole city."
Goss' creative legacy centers on over ten published children's books featuring an often misunderstood coyote. His works, praised for their messages of courage and acceptance, touched families citywide, making him a local icon. "I loved his books, I love the things that he stood for and the community. I mean, so many kids and so many families were affected by him," Brown told KGW in an interview.
Meanwhile, law enforcement continues to piece together the events of that evening. Witnesses have been questioned and two firearms were recovered at the scene, police told The Oregonian. The suspect's identity has not been released and the investigation is ongoing. This tragic incident leaves a community grappling with the loss of a man who spent his career advocating for the power of storytelling to foster empathy and understanding among the young.
