‘Dangerous man’ who fatally shot victim, then injured witness sentenced to 34 years in prison

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A 24-year-old man was sentenced to 34 years in prison after shooting and killing a man, then injuring the sole witness in a separate shooting more than a year later.

Jacob Fitzgerald pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, including manslaughter, attempted murder and assault.

Fitzgerald was driving in his car with his then-girlfriend and a man named Otis Abner near Delta Park leading up to the shooting on August 6, 2022, prosecutors said.

A heated argument took place. Fitzgerald kicked Abner out of the car near 1130 N Schmeer Road, drove a short distance away, then shot at him from across the street. Abner died at the scene. Fitzgerald burned the vehicle later that same day.

Witnesses who saw Abner’s body called 911. Law enforcement collected shell casings and surveillance video from nearby businesses.

More than a year later, on Feb. 11, 2024, Fitzgerald then went to a trailer where his ex-girlfriend lived with her new boyfriend. She was the sole witness to the killing of Abner. Fitzgerald then unloaded several shots into the trailer, one of which wounded the ex-girlfriend in the face and arm.

“He’s a dangerous man who left a trail of destruction over the last few years. This is an unusually high sentence for a plea agreement but is just given the circumstances,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Andrew MacMillan.

Fitzgerald pled guilty to and was sentenced for first-degree manslaughter, first-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree burglary with a firearm, first-degree robbery and second-degree assault.