A Vancouver man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a slew of crimes in Multnomah County, including shooting a man to death in 2022 and then, two years later, trying to kill a witness to the shooting.
Jacob Fitzgerald, 24, was sentenced to 34 years in prison for manslaughter, attempted murder, assault, burglary with a firearm and robbery, according to court documents and a Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office statement.
Fitzgerald’s attorney declined to comment on the guilty pleas.
In the early morning hours of August 6, 2022, Fitzgerald was driving a stolen car, with 53-year-old Otis Abner and a woman identified as Ryan Smith as passengers, court records state.
Fitzgerald and Abner got into an argument, which escalated until Fitzgerald stopped the car near 1130 N. Schmeer Road in Portland, records say. Abner got out of the car, and he threw a sandwich at it as Fitzgerald began to drive away. Fitzgerald hit the brakes, got out of the car and fired seven rounds at Abner with a 9 mm handgun, prosecutors alleged.
A bullet hit Abner in the heart, killing him, court records say.
Smith witnessed the shooting, and over a year later Fitzgerald attempted to cover up the murder by trying to kill her, prosecutors alleged.
In February 2024, Smith contacted police, telling officers that Fitzgerald was hunting her, records state.
Two days later, Jacob Fitzgerald and his sister Joanna allegedly crept up on the motorhome where Smith was staying and forced the door open while Smith called 911.
Jacob Fitzgerald fired a gun at Smith and her boyfriend.
Smith was shot in the face and arm, and the Fitzgerald siblings fled the scene, court records say. Smith was driven to a hospital and survived her injuries.
Police arrested Jacob Fitzgerald about a month after the alleged attack on Smith.
Police also arrested Joanna Fitzgerald. She faces charges that include attempt to commit murder, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing and burglary. She is scheduled to appear in court this week.
In addition to the charges associated with Abner’s killing, Jacob Fitzgerald’s guilty plea includes an armed robbery that occurred the day before he was arrested on March, 18, 2024. The district attorney’s office also said that his guilty plea resolves a case in Washington County, apparently referring to an alleged hit-and-run in 2021.
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