'Our families are broken': Teen accused of triple murder in broad daylight pleads not guilty

18-year-old Omar Mohammed Osman pleaded not guilty to all 27 counts against him, including first-degree murder, in connection to the triple murder of two high school students and a 20-year-old in Portland in March 2023.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – An 18-year-old accused of a triple murder that rocked Portland's Portsmouth neighborhood in March 2023 appeared in court Friday to plead not guilty to all 27 counts against him.

Omar Mohammed Osman has been indicted for gunning down two high school students and a 20-year-old in broad daylight in March 2023, according to court records. And though Osman just turned eighteen, he was already in custody in Marion County at the time of his indictment.

His court appearance is the first step toward justice for the families of Eskender Tamra, Babu Daudi and Patrick Johnson Jr. after they were found dead inside a car at the intersection of North Foss Avenue and Foss Court.

In court, the victims’ family members all asked him over and over — in different languages — one question: "Why?"

Osman was arraigned in connection to the triple murder, but Portland police say they are still searching for two others as the investigation into the shooting continues.

Althea Sails, the grandmother of Patrick Johnson Jr., shared a statement for Osman and any others with responsibility in her grandson's death.

"There's no reason. My voice just cries out. And I need the people who did this to understand that our hearts are broken,” Sails said. “Our families are broken."

Osman faces six counts of first-degree murder, four counts of second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a firearm, recklessly endangering six other people, and animal abuse for allegedly killing a bird in front of a child.

The dual first-degree murder charges accuse Osman of not only killing the men, but doing so "in an effort to conceal" the murders of others.

"They had many, many years of their life ahead of them — marriage, kids, you name it — and they're gone,” Portland police spokesperson Mike Benner said. “Three young men are dead. And at least one young man is behind bars. His life is over too, because he pulled the trigger."

It is unclear whether Osman is being tried as an adult or a child — as the crime took place when he was under the age of 18.

The FBI and police previously said they believed the three were targeted but declined to confirm whether the attack was gang related. Still, Sails had a message for those behind the violence.

"We do not need this Black on Black crime and violence. We don't need it,” Sails said. “It is telling the world negative things. We are better than this."