Five teenagers now face murder charges after authorities say they stormed an Oregon minister’s home, posed as police officers and shot him as he tried to protect his young grandson.
Portland police announced that Zyaire E. Carter, Ty’Davion C. Burton, Jayden J. Sarinana, Jordan C. Perkins and an unidentified juvenile have been charged in connection with the November 2025 shooting death of Kevin Cooper.
Carter and Burton face first-degree murder counts. Sarinana, Perkins and the juvenile face second-degree murder charges. All five also face additional allegations that include first-degree burglary.
Investigators say the group targeted Cooper’s home on Nov. 1, 2025. Cooper’s brother told local media the suspects knocked on the door and claimed they were police officers before forcing their way inside.
Gunfire erupted inside the residence as Cooper moved to shield his 4-year-old grandson, according to his brother.
Officers responded to the home and found the minister suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Cooper fought for his life for weeks before dying from his injuries on Dec. 12.
Police had already taken Carter and Burton into custody on Nov. 7 for other violent offenses, including attempted murder, that predated Cooper’s shooting.
As the homicide investigation advanced, detectives linked them to the minister’s death.
The Portland Police Bureau’s Homicide Unit worked alongside the Enhanced Community Safety Team and the Major Crimes Unit to build the case.
On Jan. 6, members of the Special Emergency Reaction Team and the Crisis Negotiation Team served three search warrants and arrested Sarinana and the unidentified juvenile for crimes that also predated the homicide.
Authorities later tracked down Perkins with help from the U.S. Marshals Service. He was arrested on Feb. 5, 2026.
Police indicated the teens could face additional charges as the case continues.
Chief Bob Day addressed the killing in a department release, calling it “a tragedy in every way.” He added, “While nothing can bring him back, I sincerely hope that these arrests are a step in healing for his family.”
Day thanked detectives, criminalists and officers who worked the case and credited the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service for assisting with the arrests.
Court records show Carter, Burton, Sarinana and Perkins have pleaded not guilty. They remain lodged at the Multnomah County Detention Center, while the juvenile is being held at a juvenile detention facility.
Cooper’s brother told local reporters the family did not know the suspects and believes the attack was random.
Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer, who is prosecuting the case, warned of rising youth violence in a public statement.
“We cannot tolerate this growing rate of violence among youth and young adults,” Palmer said. “Kevin Cooper should still be with his grandchildren, his wife, and his church. We look forward to delivering justice for Mr. Cooper’s family, holding these men accountable, and doing our part to prevent further acts of violence.”
The Oregon case echoes other recent attacks targeting clergy members across the country.
In Arizona, authorities arrested 51-year-old Adam Sheafe after the brutal killing of 76-year-old Pastor William Schonemann of the New River Bible Chapel.
Police discovered Schonemann’s remains during a welfare check in April of last year. Investigators said he had been killed and posed with his hands positioned above him and pinned to a wall.
Evidence collected from Sheafe’s home, a stolen truck and burglary scenes tied him to the murder, prosecutors said.
He was indicted in July on nine counts that included first-degree murder, burglary, criminal trespass and kidnapping. Sheafe later pleaded no contest to the charges.
During a jail interview with KTVK-TV, Sheafe outlined a disturbing plan that involved targeting multiple priests.
“There’s 13 tribes of Israel, so what I wanted to do was execute and crucify 13 priests and put one of the tribes of Israel in each of their right ears,” he said. “Which I did with this priest — I put the tribe of Benjamin.”
He claimed he intended to kill a total of 14 priests and stated he had no remorse. Schonemann had served as a Navy veteran during the Vietnam War before becoming a pastor.
In Tennessee, another case involving a pastor ended with a lengthy prison sentence.
Latoshia Daniels, 46, received 20 years in prison for the second-degree murder of Pastor Brodes Perry and nearly a year for attempting to harm his wife. The sentences will run at the same time.
Daniels had known Perry through church in Arkansas before he moved to Tennessee. Court testimony showed she drove to his home in April 2019 after their relationship ended.
When violence broke out, Perry was killed and his wife was shot in the shoulder but survived.
Daniels apologized for her actions during sentencing, claiming that she didn’t mean for the crime to happen and was in the midst of a mental health crisis at the time.
“I’m sorry,” Daniels told the court. “I know what I did. I wasn’t in the best health. And I know it doesn’t take away what happened, but please know that I’m Godly sorrowful and I’d ask that you extend grace and mercy.”
