Jacob Fitzgerald (Multnomah County Jail).
An Oregon judge Wednesday sentenced a man to prison for a slew of crimes that started with a deadly shooting after the victim chucked a sandwich at the suspect’s car and continued with the now-convicted killer several months later trying to eliminate his ex-girlfriend who had witnessed the deadly encounter.
Jacob Fitzgerald, 24, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, attempted murder, assault, armed burglary and robbery. He was sentenced to 34 years in prison, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office said in a press release. Fitzgerald was driving in a car near Delta Park in Portland on Aug. 6, 2022, with his then-girlfriend and 53-year-old Otis Abner. An argument occurred between the two men and Fitzgerald kicked Abner out of the car.
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A witness told police that as Fitzgerald drove away, Abner threw a sandwich from across the street and hit the car. Fitzgerald fired multiple shots at Abner, hitting him once and killing him. Fitzgerald drove away and later torched the vehicle, according to prosecutors. Two people later found Abner’s body and alerted police.
Detectives collected seven shell casings nearby and combed surveillance camera footage for clues.
Some 18 months later, on Feb. 11, 2024, Fitzgerald went to the trailer where his now-ex girlfriend was living with her new beau. Fitzgerald opened up fire on the trailer, striking the woman in the face and right arm. She survived the incident.
Fitzgerald was accompanied by his sister, Joanna Fitzgerald, who is also facing charges in the incident, OregonLive reported. Jacob Fitzgerald’s crime spree ended with an armed robbery on March 18, 2024, the day before his arrest.
“He’s a dangerous man who left a trail of destruction over the last few years. This is an unusually high sentence for a plea agreement but is just given the circumstances,” Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Andrew MacMillan, who prosecuted the case, said in a statement.
Abner was a grandfather of six, per OregonLive.
