Sister arrested in slaying of PSU athlete

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The sister of a Portland State University basketball star is in custody for allegedly shooting him to death and wounding two other family members Friday afternoon in Northeast Portland.

Homicide detectives arrested 30-year-old Tamena J. Strickland on a charge of murder and 2 counts of attempted murder, police said.

The arrest was made several hours after shots rang out in the 6200 block of Northeast 42nd Avenue just after 2 p.m.

PSU confirmed the death of Deante Strickland, adding that Deante had also joined the Viking football program just this past spring.

A man told KOIN 6 News his niece went to his dad’s house and fatally shot Deante, who was his nephew (the shooter’s brother).

The man said his niece then shot her aunt and grandma. They were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening wounds, according to the Portland Police Bureau.

Kenneth Carter said he was on his way to work when he stumbled upon Deante shortly before he died.

“A kid was running down the middle of the street — I didn’t know what was going on,” said Carter. “He kinda reached down by his stomach and a whole bunch of blood started pouring out of his mouth profusely.”

Two workers at a nearby construction site said they tried to save Deante by performing CPR after he ran out of a home, asking for help.

The Oregonian/Oregon Live reported police were searching for a woman who arrived and left in a silver Lexus SUV with a young child.

Tamena was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center at about 10 p.m.

“I just hope and pray for the family,” Carter said. “Everybody is in my prayers.”

Emotions ran high at the scene of the shooting as family members arrived and learned what had happened.

Deante’s uncle said the young man was just beginning a master’s program at PSU when his life was cut short.

PSU Viking Basketball Coach Barret Peery mourned the loss of Deante, who he recruited back to his hometown of Portland in 2017.

“We are better for having had Deante in our lives,” Peery wrote. “His smile, passion and energy for life was second to none. He lit up a room and made the people around him better in every way. He loved his family, his friends and everyone around him. He had great pride in being a kid from Portland and it showed in how he competed each day. We will never forget him and he will always be with us.”

The shooting investigation continues.

If you witnessed the shooting or have any video that may help the investigation, please call Detective Erik Kammerer at 503.823.0762 or Detective Mark Slater at 503.823.9319.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.