Sheriff’s Office Investigates July 12 Murder-Suicide in Damascus Area

Date

7/13/2023

Please reference case #23-014551

At approximately 5:55 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a Violation of a Restraining Order at a residence on SE Delia Street in the Damascus area.

A man -- identified as Rickoshay Allen Kerr, age 34, of Hillsboro -- was reportedly at the address in violation of a restraining order out of Washington County.

Neighbors calling 911 at the same time reported seeing a man with a gun in the area.

Deputies arrived at the home within minutes of the initial dispatch. The deputies were on foot approaching the property when a vehicle sped past them towards the residence. As a last resort, a deputy successfully shot out two tires, but the vehicle continued past the marked patrol cars. No one was injured.

Due to the length of the driveway, the deputies did not reach the house in time to stop the driver of the vehicle, who turned out to be a concerned family member, from going inside the home.

Inside the house, deputies discovered the suspect and a 12-year-old boy, both with gunshot wounds. Nobody else was inside the home. Deputies attempted life-saving efforts, but were unsuccessful. Two dogs inside the home were also shot and killed.

Investigators believe this was a murder-suicide. The suspect rammed through a closed gate to the property and entered the home by crashing his vehicle into the garage.

The Sheriff’s Office Homicide and Violent Crimes Unit and the Clackamas County Interagency Major Crimes Team, along with the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office continue to investigate the incident.

The name of the child will not be released.

Anyone in need, or knows someone in need, of support related to family violence, can reach out to A Safe Place Family Justice Center of Clackamas County at 503-655-8600 or the Clackamas Women’s Services 24-Hour Crisis Line at 503-654-2288.

Please reference case #23-014551

[END]

Brian McCall, Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office
Communications Unit