Gresham, OR. — The third suspect in the killing of 13-year-old Liam Spahnle-Bailey has been arrested, nearly seven months after the gunfire that claimed the boy’s life.
Liam was shot and killed in late April while sleeping in his father’s Gresham apartment. Investigators say bullets from a shooting in a neighboring unit pierced the wall between the apartments, striking Liam as he lay in bed. First responders attempted lifesaving measures before he was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He and his father had planned to go snowboarding that morning.
The East County Major Crimes Team — an interagency group that includes detectives from Gresham Police, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, the Port of Portland Police Department, Oregon State Police, and attorneys from the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office — identified three suspects: Terrell Coy, Anthony Hunter Jr., and Xavier Hirsch. Warrants were issued, prompting a nationwide manhunt involving agencies in Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Texas.
Hunter was arrested in Portland in early September. Hirsch was taken into custody in mid-October at a Beaverton residence. On Thursday afternoon, after community tips, members of the U.S. Marshals Service arrested 17-year-old Coy at an apartment in southeast Portland.
“No parent should have to worry about losing a child to gun violence, but the killing of a young man asleep in his own bed is particularly shocking,” said Gresham Police Chief Travis Gullberg. “Our detectives have worked tirelessly to ensure everyone responsible is brought to justice… I hope these arrests bring some measure of closure.”
Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez praised the work of investigators. “This is just the beginning. My office will do everything in our power to make sure everyone responsible for the death of Liam is held accountable… We will also prosecute anyone we can prove helped the suspects hide from police.”
Coy is expected to face charges in connection with Liam’s death as the case moves forward in Multnomah County court.
About the Author
