You step into a story that begins with a quiet house, a sudden knock, and a man who put himself between danger and his family. Kevin Cooper, a 57-year-old minister and grandfather, faced five teens who falsely claimed to be police; he was shot while shielding his 4-year-old granddaughter and later died from his injuries. This piece explains what happened that night, who the suspects are, and how the case is moving through the justice system.
You will learn the key facts of the home invasion, how investigators linked the suspects to the crime, and which charges authorities have filed as they pursue accountability. The next sections break down the timeline, the arrests, and what the family and community are saying as the investigation continues.
Details of the Fatal Home Invasion
Kevin Cooper, a 57-year-old minister and grandfather, died after shielding his 4-year-old granddaughter during a nighttime home invasion on Southeast Ramona Street. Five armed teens who claimed to be police forced entry, and Cooper was shot multiple times; his death was later ruled a homicide by gunshot wound.
Impersonation of Police by Armed Teens
Witnesses and family members reported that the intruders identified themselves as police at the door before forcing entry. Neighbors said the group shouted law-enforcement commands and used that claim to disarm the household’s caution, which contributed to the sudden escalation.
Two of the suspects, later charged in connection with the case, had previous arrests and were already in custody on unrelated charges when police tied them to this incident. One suspect is being held in juvenile detention while four adults remain jailed without bond at the Multnomah County Detention Center.
This impersonation added layers to the criminal case: prosecutors charged some defendants with first-degree murder, burglary, robbery, and related firearm offenses. Portland Police Bureau investigators executed multiple search warrants and presented evidence that supported those charges.
How Kevin Cooper Shielded His Granddaughter
Family members and the local CBS affiliate KOIN reported that Cooper physically put himself between the gunmen and the child when the assailants broke into the home. He reportedly used his body as a shield and attempted to protect the family as the intruders moved through the house.
He suffered multiple gunshot wounds during that confrontation and was transported to a hospital in serious condition. Cooper died more than a month later, on December 12, from complications related to his injuries.
Relatives described Cooper as a devoted minister and family man who acted instinctively to protect his grandchild. That testimony figures prominently in public discussion and prosecutorial statements about motive and the tragic impact on his family and church community.
Sequence of Events on Southeast Ramona Street
The attack occurred just after midnight on November 1 at a residence on the 9300 block of Southeast Ramona Street. Family members heard banging and then voices claiming to be police before the door was forced open and the intruders entered.
Inside the home, the group reportedly moved quickly; in the confusion they confronted Cooper and other household members. After shots were fired, police later found evidence consistent with a violent, targeted home invasion rather than a random knock.
Portland police carried out coordinated searches and a grand jury later returned indictments against multiple suspects. One suspect was captured by the U.S. Marshals Service on February 5, underscoring the multi-agency effort to locate those accused.
Immediate Response from Portland Police
Portland Police Bureau officers responded to emergency calls and secured the scene, treating it as a major crime investigation. Detectives from the bureau executed search warrants on January 6 and developed leads that led to grand jury indictments.
Multnomah County prosecutors announced charges ranging from first-degree murder to second-degree murder and related counts. Portland Police Chief Bob Day commented on the tragedy and expressed hope that arrests would help the family begin to heal.
The bureau coordinated with federal marshals and local juvenile authorities where applicable. Investigators worked with the family and witnesses, and those cooperation efforts were central to charging five teenagers in connection with the invasion and subsequent death.
Suspects, Charges, and Ongoing Investigation
Five teenagers face multiple, serious charges after officers say they posed as police and entered a home where a grandfather and minister was killed while protecting his 4‑year‑old granddaughter. Authorities have identified the suspects, outlined charges that include first‑degree murder and burglary, and begun legal processing at Multnomah County facilities.
Identities of the Five Teenage Suspects
Police named the principal defendants as Jayden J. Sarinana (also reported as Jayden Joseph Sarinana), Zyaire Eugene Carter (also reported as Zyaire Carter), Ty’Davion Corshawn Burton, and Jordan Cornelius Perkins, with one additional 17‑year‑old charged as a juvenile. Investigators say the youths arrived in clothing resembling police uniforms and forced entry before the violence occurred.
Officials booked the older teens into the Multnomah County Jail or detention center; the 17‑year‑old was held at a juvenile detention center under separate juvenile procedures. Local reporting by KOIN and statements from Portland Police identify the suspects by name and tie them to the scene through video, witness accounts, and physical evidence collected by detectives.
Charges Including First-Degree Murder and Burglary
Prosecutors lodged a first‑degree murder charge against at least one defendant, with related counts that include burglary, robbery, assault and burglary, illegal discharge of a firearm, possession of a firearm, and unlawful use of a weapon. Charging documents allege the group entered the residence under false pretenses and committed violent acts that resulted in the grandfather’s death.
Multnomah County prosecutors have emphasized the combination of homicide and property‑crime charges to reflect both lethal violence and the alleged intent to steal or intimidate. The case list includes enhancements tied to use of a firearm and the presence of a child, which can increase potential penalties under state law.
Legal Proceedings and Not Guilty Pleas
Several defendants pleaded not guilty at initial court appearances, according to court records and the KOIN report. Multnomah County’s arraignment schedule placed some hearings in adult court while the 17‑year‑old faces juvenile adjudication pathways; judges must also determine detention status pending trial.
A Multnomah County grand jury review could follow for the most serious counts, though prosecutors may file indictments directly. Defense attorneys have entered pleas denying guilt, and pretrial motions will address evidence admissibility, the suspects’ ages, and whether any charges proceed in juvenile or adult court. Bond and detention decisions remain active in filings at the Multnomah County Detention Center.
Statements from Law Enforcement and Prosecutors
Portland Police Chief Bob Day publicly described the incident as a “brazen” attack, calling out the defendants’ impersonation of officers. Investigators credited surveillance and neighborhood tips for quickly identifying suspects and recovering evidence linked to the scene.
Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer of Multnomah County emphasized prosecutorial intent to pursue charges reflecting both the lethal outcome and the danger to a child. Law enforcement updates and courtroom filings — including comments relayed by KOIN — stress ongoing investigative work and careful handling of juvenile‑age defendants while preparing for trial.
More from Decluttering Mom: