September 4, 2024
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge on Friday sentenced Ramond Lawrence, 33, to life in prison with the potential of release after 30 years in relation to the March 2023 shooting death of Teonjenique Hudson.
Case Facts
On March 15, 2023, a birthday party for the victim was held at the Embassy Suites hotel on 82nd Avenue near Portland International Airport. An altercation began in a hotel room on the 8th floor, which quickly escalated to multiple shots being fired by various individuals. A number of people were hit, including Adrian Granville and Teonjenique Hudson, who both died of their injuries at the scene. Witness accounts of the incident identified Ramond Lawrence as the individual who fired the fatal shot at Hudson.
Verdict and Sentencing
Deputy District Attorney Brian Davidson handled prosecution for the state. On June 13, 2024 at a court trial, Judge Benjamin Souede found Lawrence guilty on charges of Murder in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon w/ a Firearm, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm in relation to the shooting death of Teonjenique Hudson. At a sentencing hearing on August 30, 2024 Judge Souede sentenced Lawrence to life in prison, with the possibility for parole after 30 years have been served. He will be transferred into the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections to serve his sentence.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the impact of this crime on the friends and families of the victims who are still navigating the loss of their loved ones. We appreciate the collective effort of the Major Crimes Team, including Gresham Police Department, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, and Port of Portland Police Department, who took the lead on this case. Additional thanks to Port of Portland Detective Jennifer Ritschard, MCDA Investigator Matt Estes, and MCDA victim advocates Emma Kane and Nang Dunn for their dedicated work on this case.
**Update (6/14/2024)**
Court Finds Ramond Lawrence Guilty of Murder
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today announced that a Multnomah County judge delivered a guilty verdict for Ramond Andrew Lawrence, 33, for the shooting death of 24-year-old Teonjenique Elizabeth Lashay Hudson Howard in March 2023.
Deputy District Attorneys Brian Davidson, Tony Dundon, and Elena Langer represented the state at trial, which took place in front of Judge Benjamin Souede from June 5 to June 13, 2024. Judge Soude delivered his verdict on June 13, finding Lawrence guilty of three charges:
- One count of Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm
- One count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a Firearm
- One count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm
Lawrence is currently in custody in Multnomah County pending sentencing, which is scheduled for August 30, 2024, in front of Judge Souede.
In addition to members of the Portland Police Bureau who responded to the incident, the DA’s Office thanks the members of the East County Major Crimes Team who assisted with this case, including officers and detectives with the Port of Portland Police Department, Gresham Police Department, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, and Oregon State Police.
*Original Message (8/2/2023)*
DA Mike Schmidt Announces Grand Jury Indictment of Ramond Lawrence in March Homicide Case
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today announced that a grand jury indicted Ramond Andrew Lawrence, 32, on three charges related to a recent homicide in Northeast Portland:
- Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm
- Unauthorized Use of a Weapon with a Firearm
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm with a Firearm
On March 15, 2023, officers from the Port of Portland Police Department and the Portland Police Bureau responded to a shooting at the Embassy Suites hotel, located at 7900 NE 82nd Avenue. The East County Major Crimes Team was activated to conduct an investigation.
Upon review of the evidence provided by law enforcement, Deputy DA Brian Davidson presented the case to a Grand Jury, which returned a true bill of indictment on July 27. The charges Lawrence was indicted on relate to the death of victim Teonjenique Elizabeth Lashay Hudson Howard. The investigation is ongoing in relation to the second victim.
Lawrence is currently in custody at the Multnomah County Inverness Jail, and his next court appearance is scheduled for August 24.
A charging instrument is only an accusation of a crime. Lawrence is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#