UPDATED: Sheriff's Office investigates double homicide; suspect arrested; tips sought

Date

Booking photo: Amanda Kate Gregson

UPDATE (Tuesday, April 12, 2022) -- CONVICTION, SENTENCING

On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, after a week-long bench trial, Amanda Kate Gregson was found guilty of Murder in the First Degree.

On March 20, 2021, Gregson shot and killed 56-year-old Jerry Burns and 25-year-old Connor Gaines at the Reflections apartment complex in unincorporated Clackamas County, then fled the scene on foot. A few hours later, in the early morning on Sunday, March 21, deputies arrested Gregson during a welfare check at the Monarch Hotel.

Today (Tuesday, April 12), a Clackamas County judge sentenced Gregson to life in prison, with a minimum of 45 years. She will serve her sentence at the Oregon State Penitentiary.

Previous updates on this double homicide are below.

[END UPDATE]

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EARLIER (Monday, March 22, 2021, 3 p.m.) -- DETECTIVES CONTINUE SEARCH FOR TIPS, MURDER WEAPON

Detectives continue to seek tips in the wake of this double homicide and suspect arrest.

At this writing, authorities are still seeking the firearm used in the murders. Today (March 21), Washington County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Explorer Post 877 and Clackamas County Search & Rescue (CSAR) volunteers did a detailed search of areas between the Reflections at Happy Valley apartment complex, where the double homicide occurred, and the Monarch Hotel, where the suspect was located and arrested. At this writing, searchers have not yet located the suspect gun.

Anyone with additional information on the firearm's location, suspect Amanda Kate Gregson, or the events leading up to this double homicide is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line — by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form at https://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip . Please reference CCSO Case # 21-005769.

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EARLIER (4 p.m., March 21, 2021) -- VICTIM IDs

Family notifications are now complete, and the two victims in this double homicide can now be identified:

  • Jerry Dale Burns, 56, of Milwaukie
  • Connor James Gaines, 25, of Happy Valley

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on suspect Amanda Kate Gregson or the events leading up to this double homicide is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line — by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form at https://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip Please reference CCSO Case # 21-005769.

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EARLIER (10:25 a.m., March 21, 2021) -- SUSPECT BOOKING PHOTO

UPDATE: Booking photo now attached for murder suspect Amanda Kate Gregson, 39. She is being held without bail on a charge of Murder in the First Degree.

Complete booking info here: https://web3.clackamas.us/roster/#inmates

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EARLIER (5:03 a.m., March 21) -- Sheriff's Office investigates double homicide; suspect arrested; tips sought

Please reference CCSO Case # 21-005769

Photos:

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double homicide following a shooting in unincorporated Clackamas County. Photos and video are attached.

At about 11:13 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2021, Deputies from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the report of a shooting at the Reflections apartment complex, located at 8800 SE Causey Loop in unincorporated Clackamas County, near Happy Valley. 

Deputies received additional information while responding that two people had been shot inside an apartment.  The suspect was seen fleeing the location on foot.   

Deputies arrived within minutes to check for the suspect and render aid to the victims.  Both of the victims were deceased when deputies arrived.

K9 Ronnie from the Oregon City Police Department responded to assist deputies with a search for the suspect.  Deputies searched the area but the suspect was not immediately located.

Multiple personnel responded to the scene to investigate including detectives, crime scene investigators, Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office investigator and deputy district attorney, and a Clackamas County deputy medical examiner.

The suspect was identified as Amanda Kate Gregson, 39. 

A few hours later, on Sunday, March 21, at 1:47 a.m., deputies responded to a welfare check at the Monarch Hotel located at 12566 SE 93rd Ave in Clackamas.  Deputies discovered the subject they were checking on was Gregson.

Deputies detained Gregson without incident.  She was transported to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office for an interview with detectives. Deputies and K9 Ronnie checked inside and around hotel for possible evidence.

Following the detective interview, Gregson will be transported to the Clackamas County Jail and booked on a count of Murder in the First Degree.

The two victims are both adult males.  Their identities are not being released at this time as family notifications are pending.

This is an active investigation.  Investigators will not be releasing any additional information at this time.

Photos from the scene are attached. Video from the investigation scene is available for download here.

ADDITIONAL TIPS SOUGHT

The Sheriff’s Office is seeking additional information in this case. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line — by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form at https://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip Please reference CCSO Case # 21-005769.

[END]

Sgt. Marcus Mendoza 
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office 
Public Information Unit