Oregon minister dies protecting grandchild as 5 teens who pretended to be cops invaded his home: police

An Oregon minister died protecting his family, including his 4-year-old grandson, when five armed teens who identified themselves as cops during an overnight home invasion in November.

Five suspects were charged Tuesday in connection with the murder of Kevin Cooper, a minister at his local church in Portland, who was shot multiple times inside his house on the 9300 block of Southeast Ramona Street just after midnight on Nov. 1, according to Portland police.

Relatives of the 57-year-old claim the group of gunmen began banging on Cooper’s door, saying they were police, before breaking down the door

Cooper shielded his young grandchild from the armed robbers before they shot him multiple times in front of his family members, KOIN reported.

Cooper was hospitalized in serious condition and died over a month later from complications of his injuries on Dec. 12.

His death was ruled a homicide by gunshot wound.

Cooper’s family remembered the patriarch as a loving grandfather who was a minister at a local church, police said.

He was described as a “God-fearing man that did everything right,” his older brother Albert told KPTV.

Grieving relatives called the shooting random, claiming Cooper didn’t know the teenage suspects.

Prosecutors linked the deadly home invasion to a growing rate of violence among youth and young adults.

“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,” Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer said.

Two suspects Zyaire Eugene Carter, 19, and Ty’Davion Corshawn Burton, were jailed for an unrelated crime predating Cooper’s shooting, were charged with the minister’s death.

Officials carried out multiple search warrants on Jan. 6, and a grand jury indicted Carter, Burton, Jayden Joseph Sarinana, 18, and Jordan Cornelius Perkins, 18, with the Cooper’s murder.

An unidentified 17-year-old male was also arrested and charged in the deadly home invasion.

Carter and Burton were hit with a first-degree murder charge plus robbery, burglary, and theft. They were previously facing charges for attempted murder, reckless endangerment, possession of a firearm and illegal discharge of a firearm within the City of Portland.

Sarinana, Perkins and the 17-year-old were charged with second-degree murder, assault, reckless endangerment and unlawful use of a vehicle.

Perkins was captured by the US Marshals Service on Feb. 5.

The four adult suspects are being held without bond at the Multnomah County Detention Center. The 17-year-old suspect is jailed at the juvenile detention center, officials said.

They have all pleaded not guilty to their charges.

“The death of Kevin Cooper is a tragedy in every way,” Portland Police Chief Bob Day said. “While nothing can bring him back, I sincerely hope that these arrests are a step in healing for his family.”