PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that De’Anthony Simmons, 27, and Kelani Brown, 29, pleaded guilty to charges of Manslaughter in the Second Degree with a Firearm and Burglary First Degree arising from the homicide of Ervaeua Ronchelle Herring. Simmons received a sentence of 10 years in prison and Brown received a sentence of 7.5 years in prison.
In August of 2014, a fight occurred in Downtown Portland. Brown and Simmons were present during the fight when an associate of theirs was shot. In retaliation, Brown, Simmons, and others drove to Herring’s apartment complex looking for DeAndrae Stevens, who was associated with individuals that participated in the fight. Herring and Stevens shared a child.
Six armed gunmen first entered the wrong apartment and threatened the resident and her small children with guns. Realizing their mistake, the gunmen knocked on Herring’s back door and fired approximately 30 shots into the apartment when she came to the door, killing Herring. Investigation revealed gang activity as a common thread between the defendants in this case and Stevens.
Trial was scheduled to commence Monday, January 10. The prosecution was hampered by multiple critical witnesses’ reluctance to testify due to safety concerns. Stevens was fatally shot two weeks ago in Portland which contributed to further concern and lack of cooperation among critical witnesses.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office acknowledges the incredible tragedy and loss to the family of Ervaeua Herring.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Kirsten Snowden and Senior Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez commend the hard work of the Portland Police Bureau and lead Detective Anthony Merrill for their commitment to this protracted and important investigation. The Portland Police Bureau estimates that the murder of Herring has triggered more than 150 retaliatory shootings since 2014.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office generally refrains from publishing the names of victims. An exception was made in this case in light of the public discourse regarding this incident.