Shooting Death of Texas Musician in Portland Remains a Mystery

Police are continuing their investigation into the shooting death of a female musician.

Erika Evans, 26, was originally from Austin, Texas. She had traveled to the Northwest in search of some “adventure,” her father told KXAN-TV. Her body was found on a Portland, Ore., outdoor basketball court.

“Losing my daughter is the most profound tragedy of my entire life,” Erika’s father, Paul Evans, of Austin, told KXAN. “She loved to create from nothing, something beautiful. And she loved to express herself through different ways.”

Paul Evans has already spoken to detectives, he said.

“She loved the California coast, especially Monterey. She lived there for a while, and she sang songs on the pier,” he told KXAN. “I’m going to visit all the places that she loves so much on the west coast with the rest of my family.”

Police have not yet indicated motive. There is speculation whether Erika Evans was the victim of a random shooting — or if she specifically was a target.

Neighbors create memorial in honor of woman shot to death in Northwest Portland https://t.co/wUgR6Qk8g1

— KGW News (@KGWNews) September 30, 2022

“The reality is, it doesn’t matter why [the perpetrator] did it. I don’t know if it doesn’t really matter. All I want to know is if [the perpetrator] going to be punished,” Paul Evans said, via KXAN.

Multiple reports say Erika was a member of a band called The Halfways after attending University of Texas for about two years.