Gresham Homicide Investigation: 60-Year-Old Jeff Thompson Fatally Shot inside Residence

GRESHAM, Oregon — Law enforcement authorities have opened a homicide investigation following the death of 60-year-old Jeff Thompson inside his residence on the 17,900 block of SE Market Street in Gresham. Gresham Police Department officers located Thompson deceased during a welfare check on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Detectives with the Gresham Police Department and the East County Major Crimes Team utilized regional public safety camera networks—including newly integrated surveillance near Vance Park—and automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology to track movements surrounding the scene and identify a suspect.

Suspect Confrontation and Related Law Enforcement Action

Following initial leads, investigators tracked the unidentified suspect to a location near Southeast 97th Avenue and Stark Street in Portland, near the Chestnut Tree Inn. The Gresham Police Department requested tactical assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force to effect an arrest. During the apprehension attempt, the suspect fled, prompting an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the suspect's death at the scene. A Portland Police Bureau K9 named Kylo was fatally wounded during the gunfire, and a firearm was recovered from the suspect.

Official Inquiry and Administrative Status

The Portland Police Bureau’s Homicide Unit is leading the formal investigation into the officer-involved shooting, while two Portland police officers and two multi-agency task force officers have been placed on standard administrative leave pending full internal and legal review. Parallel investigations by the Gresham Police Department and the East County Major Crimes Team regarding the initial homicide of Jeff Thompson remain active. Authorities request anyone with relevant information regarding the Gresham incident to contact the Gresham Police Department tip line.