Sacramento man killed in Portland shooting remembered as a ‘loving, caring father’

A Sacramento man who was shot and killed while visiting family in Portland, Oregon, last weekend was apparently just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Family members say Tyrell Nathaniel Penney, a 27-year-old who was born in Portland but grew up in Sacramento, was near Division Street and 158th Avenue in Portland, hanging out with his cousin Masico Laveral Walker Jr. when they were shot at July 25. Penney died from his injuries. Walker, known by his family as Mase, was also hit and is currently at a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The shooting occurred as thousands protested throughout downtown Portland against police brutality. The Portland Police Bureau told local news outlets that resources have been stretched thin while responding to protesters.

Penney was quiet but fiercely loyal to his family, according to his cousin, Russell Millage. A father of three children, Penney had driven last week to Portland to visit his extended family. He had just turned 27 a few weeks ago.

“He’s a loving, caring father — he has already been fighting for his life with sickle cell,” Millage said. “For it to be cut short for some nonsense and senseless stuff, it’s just sad.”

“He comes here, home, where he was born, to see his family, and gets shot and killed,” he continued. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to support Penney and Walker’s family.

The Portland Police Bureau has not announced arrests in connection with the shooting, and detectives are continuing to investigate.

This story was originally published July 31, 2020 at 1:18 PM.