Minister Kevin Cooper Passed Away After Attempting to Protect a 4-Year-Old Child

"Kevin Cooper should still be with his grandchildren, his wife, and his church," a Multnomah County prosecutor said. Now, those words feel less like a statement and more like a painful reminder of what was stolen in the middle of the night.

An Oregon minister's final moments are only beginning to come into focus, and the chilling details of that overnight home invasion are more devastating than anyone first realized.

Kevin Cooper, 57, was more than a name in a police report. He was a grandfather, a husband, and a minister at People of Purpose Worship Center, according to KOIN 6 News.

What Happened on That November Night

Just after 12:30 a.m. on November 1, 2025, officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 9300 block of Southeast Ramona Street, according to the Portland Police Bureau's official update.

When they arrived, they found Kevin suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside his home. The suspects had already fled. But what investigators later revealed, and what his family shared, makes the tragedy even more devastating.

How the Suspects Got Inside

According to the New York Post, five armed teens allegedly banged on Kevin's door in the middle of the night, claiming they were police officers.

Relatives said the group identified themselves as cops before breaking down the door in what authorities described as a home invasion. It was not a routine knock. It was a calculated deception.

Why Kevin Was Targeted

Police later determined the suspects invaded Kevin's home and shot him in front of family members, as detailed in the Portland Police Bureau release.

Detectives with the Enhanced Community Safety Team spent weeks pursuing leads, gathering evidence, and interviewing witnesses before identifying five suspects. Meanwhile, Kevin fought for his life.

When He Passed Away

On December 12, 2025, more than a month after the shooting, Kevin died from complications related to his injuries, according to the Portland Police Bureau.

The Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide. His family had already endured weeks of uncertainty. Now, they were grieving a permanent loss. There have been 48 homicides in Portland in 2025, police said.

The Moment That Changes Everything

Here’s the detail that has shaken the community to its core.

Kevin wasn't just caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. According to his brother, he rushed to protect his 4-year-old grandson when the armed suspects stormed inside, as reported by KOIN 6 News.

The New York Post also reported that Kevin shielded the child from the gunmen before they shot him multiple times in front of his family. Let that sink in — a grandfather standing between violence and a child.

Who Has Been Charged

A Multnomah County grand jury indicted five suspects in connection with Kevin's murder, according to the Portland Police Bureau.

Zyaire E. Carter, 19, and Ty'Davion C. Burton, 18, face charges including Murder in the First Degree, along with multiple weapons and robbery-related counts.

Jayden J. Sarinana, 18, and Jordan C. Perkins, 18, were charged with Murder in the Second Degree and several additional felony counts.

A 17-year-old juvenile male also faces multiple serious charges, including Murder in the Second Degree. All adult suspects remain in custody at the Multnomah County Detention Center. The juvenile remains in detention.

Police say the group is being investigated in connection with additional robberies, and more charges may be pending.

What Authorities Are Saying

Chief Bob Day called the case "a tragedy in every way," according to the Portland Police Bureau, adding that while nothing can bring Kevin back, the arrests are a step toward healing for his family.

"The death of Kevin Cooper is a tragedy in every way. While nothing can bring him back, I sincerely hope that these arrests are a step in healing for his family," Chief Day said.

"My sincere thanks to the detectives, criminalists, officers, and others who responded to this terrible call and did the tremendous investigative work required to safely get these dangerous suspects into custody," the chief added, thanking all those involved in the investigation.

"This work is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to reduce crime and the fear of crime in Portland. I also appreciate our partners at the Multnomah County District Attorney's office and the U.S. Marshal's Service for their crucial roles in this case," the chief added.

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer told KOIN 6 News, "We cannot tolerate this growing rate of violence among youth and young adults."

"Kevin Cooper should still be with his grandchildren, his wife, and his church," he said. "We look forward to delivering justice for Mr. Cooper's family, holding these men accountable, and doing our part to prevent further acts of violence."

Where the Case Stands Now

The investigation, initially led by the Enhanced Community Safety Team, is now being assisted by the Homicide Unit, according to the Portland Police Bureau.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact homicidetips@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0479 and reference case number 25-299606. No further information has been released at this time.

The Legacy He Leaves Behind

In the end, the most powerful image is not of flashing police lights or courtroom indictments. It is of a grandfather who, in the face of armed intruders pretending to be law enforcement, chose instinctively to shield a child.

Family members say his days were filled with church services, family gatherings, and time with his grandchildren. That final act, shielding those he loved, is the legacy his family says will outlive the violence that took him.