On October 11, 2023, a fatal road rage incident occurred in Portland, Oregon, at the intersection of Southwest 10th Avenue and Southwest Alder Street.
Police reports indicate that Geoffrey Edward Hammond, a 46-year-old local resident, was involved in a heated exchange with another driver, which tragically resulted in gunfire.
According to witnesses, the dispute began when Hammond partially blocked traffic with his black Mercedes-Benz, outside the Moxy Hotel. Ryan Martin, 47, approached from behind in a gray Toyota Tundra and after a series of hostile gestures, maneuvered around Hammond’s vehicle, parking on the other side of the intersection.
The situation escalated when Martin got out of his car to confront Hammond. Without warning, Hammond allegedly drew a firearm and shot Martin in the chest. Martin’s final words before collapsing were, “I’m sorry, I had a bad day.”
Witnesses report that Hammond attempted to fire again, but the weapon malfunctioned. Adding to the scene’s confusion, witnesses said that Hammond displayed an item appearing to be a police badge to Martin. As he grappled with his malfunctioning firearm, Hammond reportedly taunted Martin, stating either, “You are lucky I didn’t shoot you in the heart.”
The incident took another dangerous turn when a bystander began recording the scene on a phone. Hammond reportedly noticed and fired at the person, wounding them in the leg.
Despite the violence, Hammond made a 911 call while fleeing the scene, admitting his role in the shootings. He later turned himself in at a nearby parking garage adjacent to a courthouse.
While Hammond purportedly told detectives that he believed the other man was planning an ambush using a military tactic, police found no weapons on either victim. Hammond acknowledged that Martin was unarmed at the time of the confrontation.
Following his arrest, Hammond was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on multiple charges, including second-degree murder with a firearm. Investigations unveiled Hammond’s previous identity as Jeffrey Edward Mandalis, associated with earlier charges in Illinois related to assault.
