Man Dies After a Fight in January in the Northwest District Neighborhood

Portland Police Badge

June 29, 2023 11:14

A man involved in a fight in January died and the case was investigated as homicide.

On Monday, January 9, 2023, Central Precinct officers responded to a report of an assault in an apartment building in the 300 block of Northwest 19th Avenue. Officers found a victim, Thomas O’Cain, 68, of Portland, injured. He was transported to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Due to the seriousness of the case, Major Crimes Unit Detectives began to conduct follow-up investigation. The involved person was identified.

Detectives learned that on January 24, 2023, O’Cain died at the hospital. The medical examiner conducted an autopsy and, after a complete death investigation, classified the death as a homicide by blunt force trauma. O’Cain’s family was notified of his death.

The Portland Police Homicide Unit assumed the case and sought out the other person involved in the fight. He was located a few months later and interviewed. The case was forwarded to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office for consideration of charges.

If anyone has information about this case, please contact Detective Jennifer Hertzler Jennifer.Hertzler@police.portlandoregon.gov or by phone at 503-823-1040. Please reference case number 23-7705.

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