GRESHAM, Ore. (KOIN) — Alexander Ortiz was described as quiet and shy by his family and friends. The 16-year-old was heading to his cousin’s house on September 24 when he was shot in the face and critically wounded. He died earlier this week.
A 15-year-old is now charged with murder.
Alex’s father, Alejandro. and a family friend named Carlos told KOIN 6 News they can’t believe Alex is gone.
Carlos said Alejandro called him with the news.
“He called me and said, ‘Someone killed my son.’ I was in Oregon City, and I said ,’No, don’t say that, don’t say that,'” Carlos said.
“Now I feel like it’s unfair. It’s unfair for this to happen to such good guy like him,” Carlos said of Alejandro. “To get his kid ripped out of his life by some greedy kid whose parents didn’t teach him right. Now a good kid’s got to pay for it.”
The Ortiz family said they don’t believe the teens knew each other.
“Up to this moment, I still cannot believe that he’s gone,” Alejandro said.
Carlos is also still in disbelief
“We just saw this kid a few days ago and now you say, no, it’s not happening. To me I’m like, ‘No, he didn’t get killed.’”
The suspect — whose name has not been released because he is a minor — remains in custody.
As Carlos translated, Alejandro said the holds no malice against the teen but hopes he will get a chance to ask the suspected killer why he did this to his son.
The family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover the funeral costs and other expenses connected with the shooting.
Alejandro said he doesn’t think anyone could pull the triger if they knew Alex’s kind heart. Carlos echoes that sentiment.
“He was a good kid. That’s what I remember,” Carlos said. “He was a great kid, he was a good, sweet, nice, friendly, charming, shy you know. But you get to know him, and he’s got a good smile. He would look at you and smile at you, you know. That’s how I remember him. You have a good kid, and we’ll see him in heaven. We will.”
