A man was shot and killed at NW Portland pizza restaurant back in September of last year. Marshawn D. Edwards, 25, was arraigned last week on second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree assault and unlawful use of a firearm in connection with what appeared to be a random, unprovoked shooting.
The shooting happened inside the Silver Dollar Pizza Co. in Northwest Portland. The death victim was Jacob Eli Knight Vasquez. At least two others were wounded as well. Video surveillance was used helped detectives identify Edwards. DNA was also lifted from spent bullet casings. Witnesses said a masked man walked up to the Northwest Portland restaurant with guns in both hands. He began shooting and ultimately killed one man and hurt two other men.
Police reported that surveillance footage shows the gunman approaching the pizza restaurant. He was walking east on the north sidewalk of Northwest Glisan Street wearing a gray ski mask over his face with holes cut out for his eyes. He was also wearing a black puffy North Face jacket and dark pants. Evidence also showed sixteen bullet casings were found on the sidewalk outside the restaurant.
This all appeared to be a random, unprovoked shooting on Sept. 24. Mr. Vasquez, 34, was shot in the back and allegedly killed by Edwards who fired into the front of the pizza restaurant which also has a bar. The gunman never entered the pizza joint. After the shooting, he ran west as he continued to fire shots. Of 16 bullet casings found at the scene, 13 were 10mm and three were 9mm, according to the affidavit.
A court-appointed lawyer for the hearing entered not guilty pleas on Edwards’ behalf, and defense lawyer Edie Rogoway was assigned to the case. Vasquez worked as a server at McMenamins Blue Moon Tavern and Grill. The man who was called the life of the party was sitting with co-workers outside The Pharmacy bar across the street before he crossed Glisan to Silver Dollar Pizza. He got there a few feet ahead of a masked Edwards. Vasquez took a few steps into the pizza restaurant as Edwards draws one firearm in each hand and begins shooting.
