- What Happened in Northeast Portland?
- Who is Mary Jacobo and How Is She Involved?
- What Happened During the Armed Carjacking?
- What Role Did Jesse West Play and What Happened After the Carjacking?
- Why Was Mary Jacobo On the Run?
- What Charges Does Jacobo Face Now?
- Where Did These Events Take Place?
- What’s Next for Jacobo and Jesse West?
- What Are the Broader Impacts of These Events?
- Brief
What Happened in Northeast Portland?
In a tragic sequence of events, Mary Jacobo, the mother of a 2-year-old toddler who died of a suspected fentanyl overdose, has been linked to a violent armed carjacking and a police shooting. The events unfolded in September 2024, shaking the local Portland community.
Who is Mary Jacobo and How Is She Involved?
Mary Jacobo, a resident of Northeast Portland, was thrust into the public eye after the death of her daughter, Aurora Fernandez, on September 12, 2024. Aurora’s sudden death is believed to have been caused by fentanyl exposure, though no charges have been filed against Mary Jacobo in relation to her child’s death.
However, two weeks later, on September 26, Jacobo, along with an accomplice, Jesse West, was involved in an armed carjacking at the Delta Park Vanport Transit Station. According to court documents, the two pointed firearms at an innocent driver and stole his vehicle.
What Happened During the Armed Carjacking?
On the day of the carjacking, West reportedly threatened the driver with an AR-15-style rifle, demanding the man’s keys while Mary Jacobo also held the victim at gunpoint with a handgun. The court documents reveal that West told the man, “I’m going to have to shoot you,” before forcefully shoving the rifle in the man’s face. When the driver did not comply, Mary Jacobo allegedly urged him to hand over the keys. West then drove off with the stolen vehicle, followed closely by Mary Jacobo, who was in a red Kia.
What Role Did Jesse West Play and What Happened After the Carjacking?
Jesse West, Jacobo’s partner in the crime spree, had been seen with her in the days leading up to the robbery. Later that same day, West was shot and wounded by Portland police during an arrest attempt in the Woodlawn neighborhood. Police opened fire after a gunfight broke out, and West was hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries. He has since been charged with two counts of attempted murder.
Why Was Mary Jacobo On the Run?
After the carjacking and police standoff, Jacobo went into hiding. For almost a month, law enforcement officers searched for her, considering her armed and dangerous. She was eventually apprehended on October 3, 2024, in Seaside, Oregon. At the time of her arrest, she was found in possession of a firearm.
What Charges Does Jacobo Face Now?
Court documents outline an extensive list of charges against Jacobo, including:
- First and second-degree robbery
- Unlawful use of a weapon
- Coercion
- Felon in possession of a firearm
- Unauthorized use of a vehicle
- Menacing
These charges stem from her involvement in the carjacking and other crimes she allegedly committed while on the run. She is currently being held without bail and is set to appear in court in late October 2024.
Where Did These Events Take Place?
The series of incidents primarily occurred in Portland, Oregon, with the carjacking happening at the Delta Park Vanport Transit Station and the subsequent police shooting of West taking place in the Woodlawn neighborhood. Jacobo’s arrest occurred in Seaside, a coastal city in Oregon.
What’s Next for Jacobo and Jesse West?
Both Jacobo and West remain in custody, awaiting further court appearances. Jacobo is scheduled to face charges related to the carjacking later in October 2024. As for West, he has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder charges, and his legal proceedings will continue in the coming months.
What Are the Broader Impacts of These Events?
The involvement of fentanyl in the tragic death of Jacobo’s daughter, Aurora, highlights the ongoing opioid crisis plaguing communities nationwide. The drug’s role in fatal overdoses, particularly among children, underscores the urgency for public health interventions and community education.
Moreover, the violent nature of the carjacking and police confrontation raises concerns about gun violence in Portland. Both local authorities and community organizations are working to address these issues through increased policing and preventative measures.
Brief
Mary Jacobo’s story is a tragic intersection of the opioid epidemic and violent crime. As she faces numerous charges and awaits further legal proceedings, the community remains in shock over the devastating loss of her young daughter and the violent incidents that followed.
