Portland, OR — A Portland Uber driver has been found guilty of assault with a firearm and unlawful use of a firearm after a deadly road rage incident in downtown Portland. However, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on charges of murder and attempted murder, leading to a mistrial on those counts.
Geoffrey Hammond, 48, was charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder, assault with a firearm, and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon following the fatal shooting of one driver and the injury of a bystander in an incident on October 11, 2023. Hammond pleaded not guilty to all charges, claiming he acted in self-defense.
The case, which began on December 4, 2023, concluded with the jury deliberating for nearly three full days before delivering its verdict. On December 18, the judge declared a mistrial for the charges of murder and attempted murder after the jury could not come to an agreement. The jury, however, unanimously convicted Hammond on the lesser charges of assault with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon.
The incident occurred around midday when Hammond, driving his Mercedes SUV, pulled over near the Moxy Hotel in downtown Portland to wait for a fare. According to security camera footage and court records, Hammond’s vehicle was partially blocking an adjacent lane of traffic when 47-year-old Ryan Martin drove by. The two drivers reportedly exchanged insults and “middle fingers” as Martin passed Hammond’s car. Moments later, Martin pulled over, walked back to Hammond’s car, and approached the driver’s side.
Witnesses described a brief but heated confrontation, during which shouting was heard, though the security footage did not capture audio. After standing by Hammond’s car for roughly 13 seconds, Martin was shot and collapsed to the ground. Nearby pedestrians ducked at the sound of gunfire. Hammond later admitted to police that he tried to fire at Martin again, but his gun jammed.
Afterward, Sam Gomez, a bystander walking out of the hotel, noticed the situation and began recording the scene on his phone. Hammond, still at the scene, fired a shot at Gomez, striking him in the leg. The bullet shattered Gomez’s femur, though he survived the injury. Hammond continued to drive away from the scene but fired another shot at Gomez, this time missing. He then called 911 and admitted to shooting two people before heading to the Multnomah County Courthouse to turn himself in.
Hammond’s defense team argued that he acted in self-defense, claiming that Martin had threatened him and that Gomez might have been armed. In his testimony, Hammond said he deliberately aimed for Martin’s shoulder rather than his chest or head. However, prosecutors contended that Hammond’s use of deadly force was unjustified. They pointed to security footage showing Martin approaching Hammond unarmed, and the fact that Hammond admitted in interviews that he had no reason to believe Martin posed a lethal threat.
The prosecution also argued that Hammond’s actions were impulsive and reckless, citing his decision to shoot Gomez, who had not been involved in the confrontation with Martin, as evidence of his disregard for human life.
Despite the jury’s deadlock on the murder and attempted murder charges, the convictions on the lesser charges carry significant consequences. Hammond faces a potential prison sentence for the assault and unlawful use of a firearm charges. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 8, 2024, where a judge will determine the appropriate penalty based on the facts of the case and any mitigating factors presented by the defense.
The case has sparked renewed discussions about the dangers of road rage and the risks associated with carrying firearms in public. Advocates for stricter gun laws have pointed to the incident as a tragic example of how quickly a confrontation can escalate when weapons are involved.
As Portland grapples with the aftermath of the shooting, the legal proceedings are far from over, with the sentencing hearing set to provide further clarity on Hammond’s fate.
