UPDATED: Suspect Charged in June 22 Homicide in Clackamas

Date

7/15/2024

UPDATE (July 15, 2024): Suspect Charged

Please reference case #24-012642

A Clackamas County Grand Jury has indicted Eliazar Martinez-Rodriguez, age 33, of Portland, for Murder in the Second Degree for the June 22, 2024, stabbing of Jefferson Smith Cates, age 30, of Portland.

Detectives identified Martinez-Rodriguez as a person of interest early in the investigation, and he was taken into custody the following day in Clackamas on an unrelated federal parole violation warrant.

Investigators believe Martinez-Rodriguez and Cates were known to each other.

Martinez-Rodriguez remains in federal custody.

ADDITIONAL TIPS & INFORMATION WANTED: The Sheriff’s Office is seeking additional information in this case. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line -- by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form.

Please reference case #24-012642

[END UPDATE]

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EARLIER (June 24, 2024): Sheriff’s Office seeks information following homicide investigation in Clackamas

Please reference case #24-012642

At around 12:49 A.M. on Saturday, June 22, 2024, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to an assault call at the Crown Court Apartments on SE 97th Avenue in Clackamas. Multiple people in the area contacted 9-1-1 to report hearing a person yelling for help, with one caller indicating that a man had been injured.

Upon arrival, deputies located a bystander performing first aid on an injured man. Deputies administered lifesaving measures until emergency medical services arrived. Despite their efforts, the man died at the scene.

Family notifications have been completed and the victim is identified as Jefferson Smith Cates, age 30, of Portland. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the man’s death a homicide.

Detectives are actively pursuing leads and are urging any witnesses or anyone with information that may be helpful to the investigation to contact them.

Please reference case #24-012642

[END]

Sergeant Ross Clemson, Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office
Communications Unit