Portland Police Arrest Third Suspect in 2022 Murder of Somali Immigrant, Father of Eight

Portland police arrest third suspect in 2022 killing of Uber driver and father of eight

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police have arrested a third suspect in the 2022 shooting death of Shaani Mohamed, a Somali immigrant, Uber driver and father of eight whose killing rattled the city’s Somali community.

Police said 41-year-old Shaperryia L. Lambert was taken into custody Wednesday in Northeast Portland and charged with second-degree murder. According to court records, investigators allege Lambert was involved in an attempted robbery that led to Mohamed’s shooting as the suspects fled. She was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center. Authorities notified Mohamed’s family of the arrest.

Lambert is the third person to face charges in the case. Two other suspects — 28-year-old Justin Ortega-Mejia and 41-year-old Kaesha Green — were arrested earlier this year and are also charged with second-degree murder. Their trial is scheduled to begin in December.

Mohamed, 39, was found with fatal gunshot wounds inside his vehicle near Northeast Milton Street and Northeast 82nd Avenue around 9:30 p.m. on March 27, 2022, after officers responded to reports of a shooting. Despite life-saving efforts by emergency responders, he died at the scene.

Investigators believe Mohamed was working a late-night Uber shift when he was targeted during a robbery. The four-block stretch of Northeast Milton where he was found has been among Portland’s most violent areas in recent years, with multiple homicides and dozens of shootings reported since 2021, according to police.

Mohamed immigrated to Portland nearly two decades ago after fleeing conflict in Somalia. Friends and community leaders remember him as soft-spoken, soccer-loving and devoted to his family. He previously played for Walalo, Oregon’s first Somali football club.

He is survived by his wife and eight children, including two who have since graduated from high school and a toddler who was an infant at the time of his death. The family’s loss galvanized support across Portland’s East African community, with volunteers organizing meal trains, housing assistance and transportation.

“This arrest offers some relief, but it does not end the pain that this family continues to live with,” said Musse Olol, president of the Somali American Council of Oregon. “We hope the judicial process brings answers and accountability.”

A GoFundMe campaign created to help the family with funeral, housing and living expenses has raised more than $60,000, organizers said.

Police said the homicide investigation remains active and urged anyone with information to contact detectives. Tips can be sent by email to [email protected] or by phone at 503-823-0479. Callers should reference case number 22-82299.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.