Jacob Fitzgerald, a 24-year-old Oregon man, has been sentenced to 34 years in prison for a series of crimes that began with a fatal shooting and ended with an attempted murder. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Fitzgerald pleaded guilty to charges including first-degree manslaughter, attempted murder, assault, armed burglary, and robbery.
The series of events began on August 6, 2022, when Fitzgerald was driving near Delta Park in Portland with his then-girlfriend and 53-year-old Otis Abner. A disagreement between Fitzgerald and Abner escalated, resulting in Fitzgerald forcing Abner out of the vehicle. As Fitzgerald drove away, Abner threw a sandwich at the car, prompting Fitzgerald to fire multiple shots at Abner, one of which proved fatal. Fitzgerald then set his vehicle on fire and fled the scene. Abner’s body was later discovered by two individuals who alerted the police.
Investigators collected seven shell casings from the scene and reviewed surveillance footage as part of their investigation. However, Fitzgerald’s crime spree did not end with Abner’s death. Approximately 18 months later, on February 11, 2024, Fitzgerald targeted his ex-girlfriend, who had witnessed Abner’s murder.
Fitzgerald attacked the trailer where his ex-girlfriend was living with her new partner, shooting her in the face and right arm. Despite her injuries, she survived the attack. Fitzgerald’s sister, Joanna Fitzgerald, was reportedly present during the attack and is also facing charges.
Fitzgerald’s criminal activities culminated in an armed robbery on March 18, 2024, just one day before his arrest. Andrew MacMillan, the Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted the case, described Fitzgerald as a “dangerous man who left a trail of destruction over the last few years.” He noted that the 34-year sentence was unusually high for a plea agreement but was justified given the circumstances.
Otis Abner, the victim of Fitzgerald’s initial crime, was a grandfather of six, according to local reports.