Following almost four months of extensive investigation by three Eugene Police Violent Crimes Unit detectives, EPD has made arrests in the murder of Alex Oyombe Gradin, age 21, and a student at Lane Community College, who was shot at 13th and Kincaid at 1:44 a.m. on May 4, 2019.
Arrested are: Regis Derey Kindred, age 30, and Kailee Von Foster, age 29, both of Portland. They have both been charged with Murder.
Yesterday, the Violent Crimes Unit, was assisted by the Portland Police Bureau’s Gun Violence Response Team and EPD Street Crimes Unit in the Portland area. Foster was arrested during a traffic stop by GVRT, and PPB Swat executed a warrant prepared by EPD VCU on her residence. She was transported to the Lane County Jail. Kindred was already in custody in Multonomah County.
The investigation found the shooting to have been intentional, however Gradin was not specifically targeted by the shots which were fired into a crowded area behind Taylor’s Bar and Grill parking lot.
Alex’s family has released the following statement:
“Alex was loved by family and friends in Eugene, Tigard, and in his birth country of Kenya. His family requests members of the public to provide information on any additional persons of interest, to assist in the ongoing investigation. Please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
EPD Detectives are wanting to identify a man. His name may be “Kane or “Cain” and he was at Taylor’s bar the night of the murder. This male is NOT a suspect in the case but may have information about the shooting. He is about 6’03” and slender in build, with a tattoo on the left side of his neck, and on the top of his right hand.
BACKGROUND
At 1:44 a.m., May 4, Central Lane 911 received multiple calls regarding shots fired at 13th and Kincaid, in the parking lot behind Taylor’s Bar and Grill, 894 E. 13th Avenue. University of Oregon Police Department and Eugene Police Department responded and found Gradin on the ground with life-threatening injury from a gunshot wound. They immediately rendered emergency medical aid, but he died at the scene.
EPD secured scene with UOPD. The Eugene Police Violent Crimes Unit and Forensic Evidence Unit joined patrol on scene. EPD VCU continued the investigation, working closely with the family and keeping them informed. Although it is natural after an incident such as this for people to want to know more about what happened, it was important to keep most of the developing information in the case from going public in order to gather probable cause for the arrests. The focus has been on obtaining justice for Alex Gradin and his family.