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Who is Keffer White? Unprovoked assault by suspect, 29, claims life of 82-year-old victim

Donald Pierce, 82, and his friend Edward Lichtenstein, 88, were viciously beaten up by Keffer White on June 25, without any provocation, at a Portland bus stop

PORTLAND, OREGON: An 82-year-old man, who was repeatedly punched and kicked in an unprovoked attack at a Portland bus stop late last month on June 25, died on Thursday, July 14. Authorities revealed that Donald Pierce succumbed to his injuries caused by blunt force trauma after battling for his life for nearly three weeks.

He and his friend Edward Lichtenstein, 88, were knocked to the ground and badly beaten up by the suspect Keffer White near Southwest 5th Avenue and Hall Street around 8:30 pm on June 25. Portland police officers were reportedly responding to an unrelated call nearby when they saw the attack and arrested the 29-year-old Keffer J. White at the scene.

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White reportedly attacked Lichtenstein and Pierce without any warning, according to witness statements and video footage of the incident. White punched and kicked both men repeatedly, even after knocking them to the ground. Witnesses also said White threatened to kill the two men during the attack, as revealed by Multnomah County district attorney spokesperson Elisabeth Shepard in a press release. 

Deputy District Attorney Nicole M Hermann wrote in an affidavit filed in court how Pierce had been waiting at the bus stop with Lichtenstein and his wife when White began yelling and poking fun at them for being old. As reported by Oregon Live, White became aggressive and approached the group without any provocation. The perp proceeded to then head-butt Lichtenstein and shoved him aggressively before he grabbed and threw Pierce to the ground. White knocked Pierce out on the street and kicked him in the head several times while he was on the ground, witnesses told the police.

Lichtenstein, who was trying to walk away from the scene in the meantime, was attacked once again by White, who punched him in the face and knocked him to the ground too. Pierce — who was found unconscious with major trauma to his face and head — was rushed to the hospital. According to Hermann, his injuries were life-threatening. Meanwhile, Lichtenstein was conscious and taken to a hospital with injuries to his mouth and face. He was treated and discharged soon after, per the affidavit.

According to court paperwork, the offender was intoxicated at the time. White also reportedly had a protective order against him at the time of his arrest for a stolen car.

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Previously, prosecutors had charged White with two counts of attempted murder and additional counts of first- and second-degree assault. But this was prior to Donald Pierce's death. Court records cited by Oregon Live suggested that White pleaded "not guilty" to all charges on July 6. That said, additional charges against White are pending as he awaits his next court appearance scheduled for Friday, July 15.

Who is Keffer White? 

It's worth noting that White is a convicted criminal and has been arrested several times for felonies in Oregon, including unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, being a felon in possession of a firearm, strangulation, and assault. He was remanded in custody at the Multnomah County jail at the time of publication.

If you or anyone you know has information related to the case, you are urged to contact Detective Jennifer Hertzler at Jennifer.hertzler@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-1040 and reference case number 22-169912.