Topline: The man also burned the vehicle associated with the homicide.
Published: March 14, 2025 7:00 am ET
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Jacob Fitzgerald (via Multnomah County Jail)
MULTNOMAH COUNTY, OR — Authorities say a man pleaded guilty to a deadly shooting and subsequent coverup in Oregon.
Prosecutors announced Jacob Fitzgerald, 24, pleaded guilty to multiple crimes on Wednesday, including first degree manslaughter in the shooting death of Otis Abner in 2022.
He was sentenced to 34 years in prison.
Fitzgerald pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, resolving three separate cases in Multnomah County and one in Washington County.
He pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, Attempted Murder in the First Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Burglary in the First Degree with a Firearm, Robbery in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree.
In the early morning of August 6th, 2022, authorities say Jacob Fitzgerald intentionally shot at Otis Abner multiple times, hit him once and killed him.
Just before the shooting, Fitzgerald was driving in a car near Delta Park with his girlfriend at the time, and Otis Abner.
Police later learned that the two men were arguing, that the argument reached a boiling point and Fitzgerald told Abner to get out of the car near 1130 N Schmeer Road.
A witness said Fitzgerald drove a short distance away from Abner, then shot at him multiple times from across the street. Abner was struck one time and died at the scene.
Later that day Fitzgerald burned the vehicle associated with the homicide.
Police were alerted to Abner’s death after two civilian witnesses found his body and called 911. Once on scene, law enforcement collected seven shell casings and surveillance footage from nearby businesses, including a Motel 6 and Interstate Rentals.
Eighteen months later, on February 11, 2024, Fitzgerald went to the trailer where his past girlfriend, the only witness to the shooting death of Abner, was living with her new boyfriend. Once there, Fitzgerald fired several shots into the trailer, one of which hit the girlfriend in the face and the arm, injuring her.
Fitzgerald’s sister, Joanna Fitzgerald, was present during the incident and is also facing charges, according to OregonLive.
“He’s a dangerous man who left a trail of destruction over the last few years,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Andrew MacMillan, who prosecuted the case. “This is an unusually high sentence for a plea agreement but is just given the circumstances.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Published: March 14, 2025 7:00 am ET
Jacob Fitzgerald (via Multnomah County Jail)
MULTNOMAH COUNTY, OR — Authorities say a man pleaded guilty to a deadly shooting and subsequent coverup in Oregon.
Prosecutors announced Jacob Fitzgerald, 24, pleaded guilty to multiple crimes on Wednesday, including first degree manslaughter in the shooting death of Otis Abner in 2022.
He was sentenced to 34 years in prison.
Fitzgerald pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, resolving three separate cases in Multnomah County and one in Washington County.
He pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, Attempted Murder in the First Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Burglary in the First Degree with a Firearm, Robbery in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree.
In the early morning of August 6th, 2022, authorities say Jacob Fitzgerald intentionally shot at Otis Abner multiple times, hit him once and killed him.
Just before the shooting, Fitzgerald was driving in a car near Delta Park with his girlfriend at the time, and Otis Abner.
Police later learned that the two men were arguing, that the argument reached a boiling point and Fitzgerald told Abner to get out of the car near 1130 N Schmeer Road.
A witness said Fitzgerald drove a short distance away from Abner, then shot at him multiple times from across the street. Abner was struck one time and died at the scene.
Later that day Fitzgerald burned the vehicle associated with the homicide.
Police were alerted to Abner’s death after two civilian witnesses found his body and called 911. Once on scene, law enforcement collected seven shell casings and surveillance footage from nearby businesses, including a Motel 6 and Interstate Rentals.
Eighteen months later, on February 11, 2024, Fitzgerald went to the trailer where his past girlfriend, the only witness to the shooting death of Abner, was living with her new boyfriend. Once there, Fitzgerald fired several shots into the trailer, one of which hit the girlfriend in the face and the arm, injuring her.
Fitzgerald’s sister, Joanna Fitzgerald, was present during the incident and is also facing charges, according to OregonLive.
“He’s a dangerous man who left a trail of destruction over the last few years,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Andrew MacMillan, who prosecuted the case. “This is an unusually high sentence for a plea agreement but is just given the circumstances.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Oregon Man Pleads Guilty to Gunning Down Man, Then Shooting Ex Who Witnessed Murder
The man also burned the vehicle associated with the homicide.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 14, 2025 7:00 am ET
Jacob Fitzgerald (via Multnomah County Jail)
MULTNOMAH COUNTY, OR — Authorities say a man pleaded guilty to a deadly shooting and subsequent coverup in Oregon.
Prosecutors announced Jacob Fitzgerald, 24, pleaded guilty to multiple crimes on Wednesday, including first degree manslaughter in the shooting death of Otis Abner in 2022.
He was sentenced to 34 years in prison.
Fitzgerald pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, resolving three separate cases in Multnomah County and one in Washington County.
He pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, Attempted Murder in the First Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Burglary in the First Degree with a Firearm, Robbery in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree.
In the early morning of August 6th, 2022, authorities say Jacob Fitzgerald intentionally shot at Otis Abner multiple times, hit him once and killed him.
Just before the shooting, Fitzgerald was driving in a car near Delta Park with his girlfriend at the time, and Otis Abner.
Police later learned that the two men were arguing, that the argument reached a boiling point and Fitzgerald told Abner to get out of the car near 1130 N Schmeer Road.
A witness said Fitzgerald drove a short distance away from Abner, then shot at him multiple times from across the street. Abner was struck one time and died at the scene.
Later that day Fitzgerald burned the vehicle associated with the homicide.
Police were alerted to Abner’s death after two civilian witnesses found his body and called 911. Once on scene, law enforcement collected seven shell casings and surveillance footage from nearby businesses, including a Motel 6 and Interstate Rentals.
Eighteen months later, on February 11, 2024, Fitzgerald went to the trailer where his past girlfriend, the only witness to the shooting death of Abner, was living with her new boyfriend. Once there, Fitzgerald fired several shots into the trailer, one of which hit the girlfriend in the face and the arm, injuring her.
Fitzgerald’s sister, Joanna Fitzgerald, was present during the incident and is also facing charges, according to OregonLive.
“He’s a dangerous man who left a trail of destruction over the last few years,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Andrew MacMillan, who prosecuted the case. “This is an unusually high sentence for a plea agreement but is just given the circumstances.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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