The tragic murder of Liam Spahnle-Bailey, a 13-year-old from Gresham, has come closer to a resolution, with the final suspect now behind bars. In a violent twist of fate that rocked the community, the teenager lost his life in late April when bullets ripped through his bedroom wall as he slept. A peaceful snowboarding trip with his father was on the day's horizon, but instead, his young life ended abruptly. The investigation spearheaded by the East County Major Crimes Team has resulted in the apprehension of all three suspects connected to the unexpected violence.
According to details provided by Gresham Police, Terrell Coy, the third and final suspect in this heart-wrenching case, was arrested in southeast Portland by the US Marshals Service. Two other individuals, Anthony Hunter Jr. and Xavier Hirsch, were previously taken into custody. This nationwide manhunt spanned states, from Oregon to Texas, seeking justice for an innocent life lost. Terrell Coy, a 17-year-old implicated in the fatal shooting, was hiding out in an apartment before law enforcement officials tracked him down on November 13.
Gresham Police Chief Travis Gullberg voiced the anguish that grips any parent in the shadow of such senseless gun violence, stating, "No parent should have to worry about losing a child to gun violence, but the killing of a young man asleep in his own bed is particularly shocking." He continued to detail the relentless effort by law enforcement and said, "I hope these arrests bring some measure of closure." The comprehensive hunt for the perpetrators included the cooperation of multiple police departments and state police forces. The police chief expressed his appreciation for the extensive support from all law enforcement partners.
Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez emphasized the commitment of his office towards accountability. He told Gresham Police, "I’m thankful that police were so dedicated and worked so hard to bring Mr. Coy to justice. This is just the beginning." Vasquez affirmed his determination to prosecute not only the main suspects but also any accomplices who assisted in evading the law. With the manhunt now concluded after six months, the focus shifts to the legal proceedings and delivering justice for Liam and his bereaved family.
