Murder suspect arrested after shooting death in downtown Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. – A woman made her first court appearance a murder charge Tuesday, arrested after someone was shot and killed during a fight in downtown Portland.

Officers were called to SW 2nd Avenue between Ash and Ankeny streets around 11:10 p.m. Monday for reports of gunfire.

They arrived to find 28-year-old David Eugene Pierce of Boise, Idaho lying on the east sidewalk. First responders started medical aid but Pierce died of her injuries before paramedics arrived at the scene.

Pierce identified as a woman and was known on the streets by her nickname, "Gigi."

The woman accused of shooting Pierce was arrested shortly after and identified as 33-year-old Sophia Adler.

She entered a not guilty plea during a Tuesday afternoon court appearance.

Amber said she witnessed the shooting.

"She died in my arms, yeah," Amber said.

Police confirm Amber's description of a fight that led up to the shooting.

"I heard Gigi say, 'Don't touch me.' And the woman came up and hit Gigi in the face with her purse. That kinda set Gigi off. Gigi went to hit her, pulled back to hit her and the next thing I know my ear's ringing. There had been a gunshot," said Amber. "It all happened so fast. It always does. It all happened so fast."

"We do believe that prior to the shooting there had been some type of disagreement or disturbance that was going on that led up to the shooting," said Sgt. Christ Burley of the Portland Police Bureau.

Josie Deleon-Summa said she knows both Pierce and Adler, and believes something pushed Adler to do something extremely violent.

"Something happened last night to make her snap," said Deleon-Summa, "But she's a good kid. Just misunderstood. And I don't know exactly what happened between the two."

"Gigi was the kind of person that was just full of life, always trying to help somebody," said Deleon-Summa.

Police ask anyone who may have seen the incident or may have helpful information in the case to call Detective Vincent Cui at 503-823-0449.

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