13-Year-Old Killed in His Sleep After Being Struck by Stray Bullet Fired Two Apartments Over

A 13-year-old boy in Oregon was killed when a stray bullet fired two apartments over traveled through multiple walls and struck him as he slept.

The teen, Liam Spahnle-Bailey, was struck by the gunfire after a shooting that occurred in a nearby unit, the Gresham Police Department said in a news release. 

According to police, paramedics arrived on the scene soon after the shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. Spahnle-Bailey was taken to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after he arrived. 

Officers located another person who had also been struck by the gunfire close by. Gresham police said in a news release that the person was transported to a local hospital to be treated for serious, but not life-threatening, injuries. 

On Monday, Liam’s father, William Spahnle, and 19-year-old brother, Gordon Mott-Bailey, spoke to KATU about the shooting. They both described how much they loved Liam. 

“I put my son to sleep in the living room on the air mattress and thinking he’d be safe,” William told KATU. “I was wrong and kind of have a hard time blaming myself. I’m told not to. I just wish I could do some things different, but it doesn’t matter now.”

Mott-Bailey reflected on his brother’s death, saying he was sad he’d never see him grow up. “He was my best friend. He’s the best,” Mott-Bailey said to KATU. “I loved him like he was a kid of my own.”

A GoFundMe for the family mentioned that any donations will help the family with the unexpected death of their son. 

“At only 13 years old, Liam has touched many people’s lives,” the GoFundMe post said. “His family remembers him as loving, funny, genuine, a great friend and son. His friends say he always had a smile on his face, and he was sure to put a smile on everyone’s face around him.”

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Gresham police say the investigation is ongoing and that anyone with any information about the shooters involved should contact their office. Information about the potential shooting suspects was not immediately available. 

“This is an example of horrific violence in our community. It breaks my heart to see the loss of such a young life,” Nathan Vasquez, Multnomah County District Attorney said in a statement. “Any time a child is lost in our community, it’s devastating. But when it occurs in such a senseless, violent manner it’s absolutely infuriating.”