PORTLAND, Oregon - On Thursday January 19, 2012, a Multnomah County Grand Jury indicted three people for the murder of 13-year-old Julio Cesar Marquez, who was killed on November 7, 2011.
Indicted for Aggravated Murder and Murder are: 18-year-old Samuel Vasquez, 16-year-old Ezequiel Vasquez and 15-year-old Josefina Jasmin Ramirez. Samuel and Ezequiel Vasquez are brothers.
Portland Police Bureau Homicide Detectives began investigating the death of 13-year-old Julio Cesar Marquez in the early morning hours of November 7, 2011. Officers from East Precinct responded to the report of a body found by some schoolchildren in the area of Northeast 107th and Halsey. Officers arrived in the neighborhood and located Julio?s body. The Oregon State Medical Examiner determined that Julio?s death was a homicide and that he died of multiple gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma.
Homicide detectives immediately began an investigation into Julio?s death. During the course of the investigation, a rifle was recovered which investigators believe was used in the homicide. Homicide detectives believe that Julio?s murder was gang-related. During the course of this investigation, several tips from the community and Crime Stoppers were given to detectives. These tips assisted in solving the case.
Homicide detectives worked closely with the Multnomah County District Attorney?s Office, the Forensic Evidence Division, the Oregon State Police Crime Lab, the Gang Enforcement Team and Washington State Department of Corrections to develop information in this case which led to these indictments.
This investigation is still ongoing and detectives know that other people have information about Julio?s murder. Homicide detectives have spoken with Julio?s family and they have expressed gratitude that arrests have been made in their son?s murder.
"This killing of a 13-year-old boy, whose body was found by schoolchildren, was shocking and tragic," said Chief Michael Reese. "We hope the arrest of these suspects brings some closure to the family as well as highlights gang issues in our community." "I want to commend the men and women of the Police Bureau, particularly our Homicide Detectives, Gang Enforcement Team, and Forensics Evidence Division, who worked diligently with the Multnomah County District Attorney?s office to find the suspects in Julio Marquez?s tragic murder and hold them accountable," Mayor Sam Adams said. "This case is especially concerning, given the ages of the suspects. As a community, we must redouble our efforts to keep youth out of gangs, and support them in positive and healthy activities."
