Who was Amara Marluke? Portland State Uni student who fought racism shot dead by ex-footballer
PORTLAND, OREGON: A 19-year-old Portland State University student, Amara Marluke was shot and killed near campus early Monday, April 4, according to sources, and a former football player, Keenan Harpole at the school has been charged with her murder. Amara Marluke, a vocalist who was studying music at the university, was tragically shot at 1 am near Southwest College Street and Sixth Avenue in what detectives suspect was a domestic violence incident, according to The Oregonian.
According to KOIN, Keenan Harpole, a former running back for the Portland State football team, surrendered to authorities in connection with the fatal shooting later on Monday. According to the site, Harpole was charged with second-degree murder, unauthorized use of a firearm, and domestic violence. Marluke was recalled as a devoted family member and friend who had been involved in racial and social justice issues since at least high school. “To say that Amara was the light of our life, a beautiful and a caring soul would not begin to do her justice,” Marluke’s father, Bradley Marluke, told The Oregonian in a statement.
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“Her dedication to her family and friends was unwavering and that she would fall victim to a senseless and violent death is unimaginable,” the father said.
Bradley Marluke and his wife adopted Amara Marluke and her sister. Amara had a "tough" start in life while growing up in the foster care system, according to her father, until the couple obtained custody of her when she was nine years old.
Green Hammer started a fundraiser on behalf of Amara Marluke’s family. Amara is the daughter of Green Hammer's assistant superintendent, Bradley Marluke.
Portland State president Stephen Percy described Marluke as a “vibrant member of our community. “My heart breaks for Amara’s family and for everyone who knew her,” Percy told the newspaper in a statement.
The business shuts at midnight, approximately one hour before the incident. Nader Macboul, the business's owner, told KOIN 6 News that the increasing criminality in the area has caused him to close the store earlier than usual. He said that his outdoor security cameras had been taken a few weeks earlier.
“In the past couple of months I’ve had 3 break-ins, had to secure all of the windows around my store, and there’s been a shooting around here a couple of times,” he said.