The Portland Police Bureau has put out an urgent call to the community, seeking assistance in tracking down Jacob A. Fitzgerald, a 23-year-old suspect in a fatal shooting that claimed the life of Otis Abner last August. Authorities have released information indicating Fitzgerald's alleged involvement in a more recent February 2024 shooting, which left a witness to the 2022 homicide injured. The police declare Fitzgerald houseless, often seen around the North Columbia Boulevard area, and have warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous. The public is advised to not engage but instead to immediately contact 911 if they have any information on Fitzgerald's whereabouts, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
According to details provided by law enforcement, Fitzgerald is a Caucasian male, measuring 6'2" and weighing around 200 lbs. In light of the ongoing search, residents have been urged to remain particularly vigilant. The penalty of not doing so could be a high one, with Fitzgerald's presumed dangerousness directly linked to his suspected crimes and his current status on the run. In the original incident, Otis Abner aged 53, was the homicide victim, found with gunshot wounds that the Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed as the cause of death. Abner's family has been notified and continues to grieve in private.
For those with information about Fitzgerald's location, they are strongly urged to aid the authorities in their manhunt by calling 911. The police have made it clear that the suspect should not be approached, as the potential risk to public safety is significant. It's a stark reminder that the fabric of community well-being could easily be torn by the actions of a person who is considered to be highly dangerous, as per the Portland Police Bureau.
