Geoffrey Edward Hammond received a guilty verdict for second-degree murder and attempted murder in a downtown Portland incident, as reported by the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office. The October 11, 2023, tragedy led to Ryan Martin's death and left Sam Gomez wounded. The conviction was decided by a Multnomah County jury, signaling an end to a case that had its first trial end indecisively on these charges in December 2024.
During the earlier trial, Hammond was found guilty of first-degree assault with a firearm and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm. However, the jury at the time was unable to come to a unanimous decision regarding the murder and attempted murder charges. The second trial brought these charges back into the limelight, with state prosecutor Brad Kalbaugh, now serving as a special deputy district attorney, triumphing over the legal hurdle the second time around. Following the verdict, Kalbaugh stated, “The Martin family finally has found justice. Nothing Sam Gomez or Ryan Martin did that day warranted Hammond’s deadly reaction,” a sentiment echoed in the DA's announcement.
According to testimony detailed in an Affidavit of Probable Cause, the confrontation began when Hammond, working as an Uber driver, was confronted by Martin after a brief traffic altercation. In less than a second upon reaching Hammond's vehicle, Martin was fatally shot. Surveillance footage revealed that Hammond made no attempt to assist as Martin lay dying. Gomez, who merely wanted to document the scene, was also shot by Hammond, who then left the scene. In a grim twist, the victims, Martin and Gomez, presented no threat as both were unarmed, a fact highlighted during the trial.
With the justice system's final word, Hammond awaits sentencing on June 6, which could entail a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years for the murder charge. The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office has recognized the efforts of Portland Police Detective Ryane Foote and the support of Dr. Brandon Maughan of OHSU and MCDA Victim Advocate Allison Miller throughout this ordeal. Their contributions have been a staunch pillar for those affected by the harrowing events detailed in both the trial and the district attorney's narrative.
