A Portland man has been indicted on multiple charges, including second-degree murder, in connection with a drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of a security guard and the injury of a teenager last year. Mamadee S. Keita, 28, is facing serious allegations stemming from a violent incident that occurred on July 7, 2024, near Southeast 9th Avenue and Ankeny Street.
According to KATU, a grand jury handed down an indictment that includes a total of 19 charges. The charges against Keita cover second-degree murder, multiple felony and misdemeanor counts, and the danger he posed not only to individuals but also to the public at large. In addition to the murder charge, the indictment includes five other felonies and 13 misdemeanor charges. Keita's indictment came nine months after the deadly shooting, despite police arresting him in September for an unrelated armed robbery. In a statement obtained by KPTV, Emily Shute, daughter of the deceased Walter E. Mulberry, expressed her relief at the indictment, saying, "it was definitely really relieving, and felt like we were able to breathe for the first time in a year."
The shooting took the life of 49-year-old security guard, Walter Mulberry, who was working at the time of the incident. A 17-year-old also sustained injuries, though non-life-threatening, during the gunfire. KPTV reported that dozens of rounds were fired just after 1 a.m. that Sunday, with bullets hitting multiple parked cars and other objects in addition to the human targets. Keita was already in custody at the Multnomah County Jail for a separate incident involving an armed robbery that occurred at a Plaid Pantry months earlier.
There has been an outpouring of grief for Mulberry from his relatives and those who knew him. A relative, who spoke under the condition of anonymity during Keita's court arraignment, likened Mulberry's impact on his community to that of Forrest Gump, as described in an interview by KPTV. "Whoever ended his life pretty much killed Forrest Gump," the relative said, highlighting the profound sense of loss felt by the family. The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office and the Portland Police Bureau have yet to provide details on why it took several months to apprehend Keita for the armed robbery, despite evidence at the scene. However, Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer, quoted by KATU, noted that "a left behind wallet is not enough to convict a person" and emphasized the necessity of establishing proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
As the judicial process unfolds, the Multnomah County community continues to grapple with the consequences of violent crime in their midst. Keita's charges include second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon, among others, as reported by KOIN. This case serves as another stark reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in bringing those accused of violent crimes to justice in a timely manner.
